THE multi-million pound purchase of “the largest brownfield site in the South West” has been completed by BCP Council.

It has taken ownership of the Holes Bay power station site in Hamworthy ahead of bringing forward plans to build hundreds of homes on the plot.

The council’s acting leader, Poole People councillor Mark Howell, said the purchase was a “huge step forward” in revitalising the town centre.

The site was first identified as being suitable for housing more than 20 years ago and part of the justification for building the Twin Sails bridge was that it would facilitate the development.

Concerns about the viability of carrying out the redevelopment of the site saw previous owners London and Quadrant and Land Improvement Holdings put their own plans to use the land, which had been approved by Poole council, on hold.

This, along with concerns a £5 million grant from Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership could be lost, prompted the council to begin looking at a purchase of the land, a move approved by councillors in May.

The council is planning to build more than 800 homes on the 40-acre site with the hope the development would “unlock” further commercial and employment opportunities in the area.

Cllr Howell, the cabinet member for regeneration, said the purchase was a key part in the council’s “ambitious plans for Poole”.

“We can now proceed in making a significant investment in a new community development which is economically, environmentally and socially sustainable,” he said.

“This will contribute to the revitalisation of Poole town centre and Hamworthy’s local centre, as well as strengthen Poole’s tourism offer.’’

Cabinet member for housing, councillor Kieron Wilson, welcomed the purchase as part of efforts to increase the number of homes being built across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

“I am delighted that the council can now move forward with delivering a vast number of new homes at this long derelict site,” he said.

“This will include high quality sustainable housing for the local community, which can be an exemplar nationally.”

The council is now drawing up plans to redevelop the site.