The £40 million regeneration of Bournemouth town centre reached a landmark moment today as turf-cutting heralded the start of building work on three blocks of student accommodation.
The laying of foundations at the site in Madeira Road, previously a council-owned surface car park, is the first step in what will become residences for 378 students at the Arts University Bournemouth.
A new 382-space multi-storey car park will be constructed alongside to ensure the permanent provision of public parking in the area.
The project is being delivered by The Bournemouth Development Company (BDC), a public-private partnership involving Bournemouth Borough Council and Morgan Sindall Investments.
Duncan Johnston, BDC Development Director, said: “This first wave of activity is exciting news for Bournemouth and demonstrates our commitment to this innovative project, allowing us to move forward with the shaping of the regeneration vision for the town. The Madeira Road scheme will bring a number of benefits. Student accommodation is a very appropriate residential use of the site which will help to increase the number of people living in the town centre, so affording additional vibrancy and life together with an economic boost to local traders. This will be achieved without compromising on the availability of public car parking.”
Professor Stuart Bartholomew, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Arts University Bournemouth, said: “One of our key objectives is to provide residential accommodation for more students given the limited amount of space we can offer in our existing halls of residence. Site constraints have made additional provision on campus difficult so a solution in the town centre has been the preferred option for some time. Madeira Road offers the exciting prospect of purpose-built, contemporary looking student accommodation.”
The Bournemouth Development Company is Bournemouth Council’s delivery partner for its overarching 20-year Town Centre Vision.
Altogether, 17 sites have been earmarked for potential regeneration through the partnership.
The formal start of building work at Madeira Road marks the first step in the Vision being realised and has been welcomed by Councillor John Beesley, Leader of Bournemouth Council.
He said: “By taking a holistic look at the whole town centre we will ensure that development is co-ordinated and planned. Bournemouth has already done a lot to support economic activity and the development at Madeira Road and other projects in the pipeline will enhance our position as a premier destination and support growth and jobs.”
The Bournemouth Development Company is about to begin the redevelopment of a second council-owned surface car park at neighbouring Leyton Mount. It will involve a five-storey block of 64 apartments and a commercial unit suitable for a café or restaurant.
The combined development value of the Madeira Road and Leyton Mount projects is £40 million.
Profits from these developments will enable the achievement of the Vision through a continuing chain with reinvestment in new sites, infrastructure and open spaces.
Building work on both Madeira Road and Leyton Mount will be carried out by Morgan Sindall Construction, with trades and labour sourced from the local supply chain as far as possible.
