A referendum is set to be held in June which could be the start of a huge transformation of the Broadstone area, north of Poole. In the vote those taking part will be asked if they want Poole Council to use the Broadstone Neighbourhood Plan, which held a six-week consultation period on an initial version at the end of last year. The plan has now been examined by an independent inspector who has agreed for it to proceed to the next phase.

If the plan is approved then it will form a large part of the statutory development plan for the region. That then means the Neighbourhood Plan will have to be referred to when considering any planning decisions. Some of those broader visions for Broadstone include enticing more biodiversity to the area, development of the central shopping area and a big focus on housing and green space.

The plans form a huge development drive at the moment in the South East around Poole and Bournemouth, and that’ll be the focus of the Bournemouth Development Plans Conference in April.

One of those speaking at our Bournemouth Development Plans Conference will be Julian McLaughlin, Head of Growth and Infrastructure at Poole Borough Council. He is asking members to recommend that the council accepts all the modifications to the plan made by the independent examiner post-consultation to kick-start development in the region. Adding to his call for acceptance Broadstone Ward Councillor Vikki Slade said the plan ‘gives the people of Broadstone the opportunity to help shape the future’.

The plan will be discussed tomorrow at a place overview and scrutiny committee.

To hear more about development plans in the South East region join us at the Bournemouth Development Plans Conference, where we’ll also be joined by Bournemouth Borough Council, Fresh Lime Developments, Bourne Asset Management and more.