Hawkwood Road, Boscombe’s New Neighbourhood

Boscombe's transformation is well underway, but we're far from finished! Back in 2020, we teamed up with local residents and businesses to brainstorm how to best use the £23 million Towns Fund grant from the government. Together, we developed a detailed plan for a vibrant new neighbourhood on Hawkwood Road.

The new neighbourhood was given the green light by the council in April. This project (formerly known as the Towns Fund masterplan) is set to transform the area in plenty of exciting new ways. Keep reading for a peek at our plans for Boscombe's future!

Our vision

"By 2030, Boscombe will be connected, diverse, healthy, and safe. Building on the area’s arts and creative sector as well as our built seaside heritage, there will be more jobs in a wider variety of sectors. The community will have greater access to good quality jobs, training, leisure activities, and homes." 

How the project will benefit the community

The new neighbourhood being built in Hawkwood Road will deliver numerous benefits to the community. These benefits will include new homes, a community centre, a new park (to be named Hawkwood Gardens), improvement to the public realm and street, space for new businesses, and improvements to the High Street with a new boulevard. Learn more about each benefit below!

1. New homes

The Hawkwood Road project has been given planning permission to build 68 new homes which will be built in three blocks. The residential properties will be broken down as: 

  • 22 x 1 bed properties (32%)
  • 16 x 2 bed properties (24%)
  • 30  x 3 bed properties (44%)

Residential tenure mix (indicative)

  • Block A - 28 units - affordable rent
  • Block B - 18 units - open market sale
  • Block C - 22 units - shared ownership

In addition to this, 8 of the lifetime homes will be suitable for residents with mobility needs, 6 of these will have a dedicated accessible parking space. All homes will have an outside space or balcony and the homes will be built and managed by BCP Council. 

2. Community centre

The Bournemouth Towns Fund Management team has been working with community stakeholders in developing this project since 2020. The vision is to create a social space which belongs to the community and can be used for anything from indoor sports activities to private meetings. 

The community centre will be 795 sq metre of internal floorspace and laid over 2 floors. The centre will be overlooking the new walkway and boulevard with an attractive contemporary design together with an external seating area. Full details are to include: 

  • Two Community Hall spaces, each comprising around 170 sq m with ancillary storage
  • Two meeting rooms/ workshop/ studio spaces
  • Separate office for the management comprising 18 sq. metres
  • 21 sq. metre kitchen with servery
  • Large reception area which can be used as a cafe area
  • 29 sq. metre meeting Room for 12 people

The centre will be run by an existing experienced not for profit organisation. A number of potentially suitable organisations have already been identified and we will be inviting formal Expressions of Interests later in 2024, which will be advertised widely.

3. Hawkwood Gardens, a new park

Included in the new neighbourhood project on Hawkswood Road, there is to be a brand new park, otherwise known as Hawkswood Gardens. The park will be positioned opposite the community centre and will include informal play areas, planting and a small pavilion. Further park information is as follow : 

  • The garden will be partly managed by the community and partly by BCP Council 
  • The park will be overlooked by the residential properties with a secure perimeter and lockable gates to be shut at night
  • CCTV will be introduced 
  • The pavilion has the potential to be used for community activities such as men's shed projects!

4. High street improvements and new boulevard

Improvements to the High Street are paramount in making Boscombe vibrant, quirky and most importantly safe for its visitors and residents. Part of this plan execution, we are going to be creating a new boulevard in Hawkswood Road. 

  • The building at 625 Christchurch Road will be demolished to make way for a new boulevard to replace the tiny alleyways, to connect Hawkwood Road with the High Street.
  • The boulevard will be landscaped with new street trees and overlooked by the new community centre.
  • It will contain CCTV and a safer walking route from the High Street to the residential area to the south.
  • The boulevard will include new bike storage facilities to accommodate cyclists. 

5. Space for new business

Our final objective is to create new spaces for business owners to showcase their business or products on the High Street. Details of this are to include: 

  • The boulevard will be lined with 4 kiosks which will provide flexible accommodation for pop-up style businesses to complement the offer on the High Street.
  • The kiosks are suitable for temporary space for artists studios and exhibitions, food and drink with outside seating and pop-up retail such as Christmas shops.

Keep up to date on what’s next

Want a sneak peek at Boscombe's future? Follow us on social media for updates on our plans and to chat with our team!

Hawkwood Road FAQs

There are currently no public changing facilities within our plan.

Part of the main Hawkwood Road Car park is to be retained for public car parking. Parking is provided within the development, for disabled residents only. This is a car-free development and we have invested in alternative public transport improvements. Residents of the new development will need to consider whether the development is appropriate for them if they have and need a car. Visitors to the town centre will be able to park in the numerous other car parks, which include 3 car parks on Hawkwood Road which will remain.

The new homes will be built and managed by BCP Housing. A small proportion will be for private sale. We cannot control who buys these properties.

The plan is to provide high-quality homes in the town center, all meeting minimum size standards and including private outdoor space. Up to 50% are affordable, and around 45% are large 2 or 3 bedroom homes suitable for families. Boscombe town center's sustainable location, close to shops, services, and public transport, makes it ideal for higher density development. Smaller terraced houses would be out of character with the area, which primarily consists of villas converted to flats. National guidance supports higher density, good quality homes in such locations, aligning with the available funding.

  • Retaining Some Public Parking: Some parking will remain on the main Hawkwood Road site, and the Sainsbury/Library Car Park will be converted to short-term parking.
  • Directing to Multi-Storey Car Park: Signs will direct cars to the Sovereign Centre's multi-storey car park. The car park manager is part of the Strategic Towns Fund board, ensuring effective collaboration.
  • Investing in Local Transport: Approximately £3 million is being invested in local transport projects, including the Boscombe Beach Bus and improvements for cycling and walking in the area.

Engagement Hub:
30-32 Royal Arcade, Boscombe,
Bournemouth BH1 4BT

email [email protected]

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Bournemouth Towns Fund