AFC BOURNEMOUTH chairman Jeff Mostyn will head up a new group tasked with creating a major investment plan to regenerate Boscombe.

The recently created Boscombe Strategic Towns Fund Board is leading the charge on efforts to produce a 'Town Deal' with the government, which could see the area secure up to £25million in investment.

Community, business and political representatives have teamed up to push the area's bid for a slice of the government's Town Fund initiative.

The plans for Boscombe include improving connectivity in digital and transport infrastructure, creating new social and cultural places that bring people together, as well as boosting jobs and providing much needed homes.

Last year the government invited 101 places – including Bournemouth - to bring forward proposals for a ‘Town Deal’ as part of the £3.6billion Towns Fund programme.

Part of the bid process requires each town to set up a strategic board to produce an investment plan detailing its ambitions and areas for where the funding would be welcomed.

Mr Mostyn, who has taken up the voluntary chair position, said: “I’m really excited to chair this new board and work in partnership with the local community to boost Boscombe’s economic regeneration.

“Boscombe was once the home of AFC Bournemouth and remains at the heart of the club. The town already has a significant foundation of community led regeneration, and I’m looking forward to ensuring this new Town Deal helps to build on this and be the catalyst for further growth to the benefit of the whole community.”

A masterplan for Boscombe including parts of Pokesdown, East Cliff and Springbourne will all form part of the Town Deal investment plan due to be submitted to Government in October.

Community engagement will be at the centre of the proposals with major consultation on a Master Plan due to start in the coming months.

Councillor Lewis Allison, vice chair of the board and BCP Council cabinet member for tourism, leisure and communities, said; “This is a unique opportunity for Boscombe to get a slice of significant external investment for major regeneration and will be a real game changer for the area.

“Our Boscombe Strategic Towns Fund Board brings together people with a huge amount of experience and expertise in order to create a successful proposal to Government. The amount of money Boscombe receives will be determined by the strength of the Investment Plan we put forward and it’s important the community is at the centre of those plans.

“This is about us all working together to create opportunities, jobs and homes for people in and around Boscombe.

“We are keen for residents’ voices to be heard and look forward to working with the local community on their ideas for making a significant and positive impact on Boscombe.”

The proposals will build on the work of the Boscombe and Pokesdown Neighbourhood Plan, which was adopted in November 2019.

Residents can share their views on how the funding could be spent by visiting mytown.communities.gov.uk/town/bournemouth.