Residents are being urged to attend a public exhibition and have their say on a new vision for the Talbot Village area of Poole.
The exhibition, which will be held on Monday, September 7, will outline proposals which include new university buildings, enhanced campuses, protection for Talbot Heath, transport measures and a digital employment village for cutting-edge businesses.
It is being held by Borough of Poole as part of its public consultation on a draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to direct the future development of this area – which includes Bournemouth University and Arts University Bournemouth.
Cllr Ian Potter, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Planning, Transportation and Regeneration, Borough of Poole, said: “This document will influence the future direction of this vitally important area for the next 20 years and it is important to us that local people have their say.
“The public exhibition will give people more information about our proposals and help them to share their views with us.
“Together we want to put in place a plan that boosts the economy, protects the environment, improves transport infrastructure and mitigates the impact on those who live and work in the area.”
The draft SPD is the first phase of a new Talbot Project bringing together major landowners and councils in the wider Talbot Village area for a co-ordinated approach to future development.
Partners in the Talbot Project are Talbot Village Trust, Bournemouth University, Arts University Bournemouth, Borough of Poole and Bournemouth Borough Council.
They have been working together on an informal Master Plan, which forms the basis of the SPD.
The aim is to realise the economic potential of the Talbot Village area – the universities alone already contribute more than £270m each year to the local economy, supporting 2,390 jobs.
The SPD promotes enhancing the excellence of the universities, protecting the internationally important Talbot Heath and improving transport infrastructure whilst respecting the amenity of neighbouring residential areas.
Also proposed with the draft SPD is a flagship digital employment village near to the universities.
This will be for cutting-edge businesses such as computer game companies, mobile technology developers and computer generated animation specialists – capitalising on Bournemouth and Poole’s status as the UK’s fastest growing digital economy (according to a recent report by Tech Nation).
Traffic and transport measures include enhanced pedestrian and cycle routes plus a new entrance on to the Boundary Roundabout to enable vehicles to access Wallisdown Road at two points.
The public exhibition is being held on Monday, September 7, from 2pm to 8.30pm, Talbot House, Bournemouth University Talbot campus.
Car parking will be available on campus from 4pm onwards.
