A VISION has been created for one of the largest and most significant developments to take place in Poole.

Plans have been received by the Borough of Poole for an estimated £800,000 scheme of 1,674 homes on the 13-hectare former power station site in Hamworthy.

Developer and landowner JJ Gallagher's third application -the first two were withdrawn - includes 4,000 sq metres of commerce as well as housing, shops and leisure facilities.

Poole council is determined this waterfront site, which will include its iconic Twin Sails Bridge, will be something of which the town can be proud and reflect the feel of the town centre across the Black Water Channel.

To that end it has issued the developer and the public with an eight-page booklet setting out what it envisages for the huge brown-field site.

"We are looking for the development on this site to reflect the uniqueness of Poole - and this is a very unique site," said Borough of Poole strategic director Andrew Flockhart.

Four distinct character areas have been formed alongside the road feeding the bridge, creating the high value Quayside, with bars and cafes along along a continuation of the Quay.

The Central Square urban village with a high proportion of affordable homes and a park, the environmentally sensitive North Shore of high value apartments and the Hamwor-thy Area with family homes and access to the rest of Hamworthy.

However the proposed marina and maritime centre have been sacrificed, partly due to the Transport and Works Act Order which states there should be no boats moored between the two bridges, and the council does not see the development as a tourist attraction.

However it would like to see a viewing platform to take advantage of views across the harbour, at the top of what could be a 15-storey landmark tower.

Strategic director Jim Bright said a number of contractors had expressed interest in building the bridge but he was unable to say when work might start.

Council leader Cllr Brian Leverett said: "It is the development which will have to fund the infrastructure roads to the second harbour crossing. The development has to be in the best interests of Poole and at this stage we have to recognise that the negotiations to get a suitable development will take as long as it takes."

  • Gallagher is holding an exhibition of its plans at Hamworthy Library from October 19-26, which will be manned on both Fridays. The council's vision booklet will be available from the Civic Centre and on the web.