BOURNEMOUTH'S abortion clinic is set to be sold - just days after a buffer zone was approved to protect the facility's users from abuse and harassment.

The British Pregnancy Advice Service who run the clinic in Ophir Road said the building is being sold as part of ‘organisational-wide changes’ and they would be looking for a new site in Dorset.

Last week, BCP Council approved a ground-breaking buffer zone around the clinic following a high-profile campaign to protect users at the Bournemouth site from abuse and harassment by pro-life campaigners.

In a statement about the sale, a spokesperson for BPAS and NHS Dorset said: “As part of organisational-wide changes, the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, BPAS, has recently taken the decision to list their Bournemouth clinic building for sale.

“We would like to provide reassurance that BPAS will continue to provide care for the women of Dorset and other local areas during this process. BPAS and commissioners are working together to identify a replacement site in the county.

“Services will continue to be provided from the current clinic until a new site is established. BPAS will ensure that healthcare providers are given up-to-date information in advance of the service moving, and that information is available on our website and via our Booking and Information Centre.

“As women will continue to access abortion care at this site, BPAS will continue to work with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council to ensure the safety of those using the service.

“Any woman considering abortion care in Dorset should continue to contact BPAS by calling 03457 30 40 30 or by requesting an appointment on the BPAS website www.bpas.org”

Following a public consultation by BCP Council, the Bournemouth clinic became the fifth in the country to have a PSPO in place on October 13.

READ MORE:

Councillor Millie Earl said the news that the clinic was listed for sale was "very sad" and acknowledged the efforts of campaigners in the area to secure the buffer zone.

She said: "It's very sad to hear BPAS are closing their Ophir Road clinic, especially when a huge amount of effort has been put in by campaigners and the council to implement a buffer zone.

"It's vital that abortion services continue locally and I very much hope BPAS find another location soon that is just as accessible to local women seeking to terminate a pregnancy.

"If it is the difference between maintaining a service and maintaining a building, prioritising the service is the right thing to do.

"Yesterday, an amendment to the Public Order Bill was passed in parliament to ban anti-abortion harassment outside all abortion clinics across England and Wales.

READ MORE: Dorset MPs vote against national legislation on buffer zones for abortion clinics

"If the Bill becomes legislation, then women visiting the new location will be protected - if not and the protesters target a new site, then we'll be campaigning for a new local buffer zone."

The Daily Echo asked if BPAS would be applying for a buffer zone in their new location and if there was anything they would like to say to campaigners but they declined to comment further.