BCP Council’s new environmental hub along the beach in Bournemouth is set to officially open a year later than planned.
The Seaside Environmental Hub at Durley Chine was initially due to be open from spring this year, but the council will launch a “soft opening” this winter before its official opening in spring 2023.
Designed to be a space dedicated to achieving a step-change in the reduction of waste and elimination of single use packaging across the BCP Council area, the hub aims to tackle some of the 2,000 tonnes of waste left on the beaches each year.
Read more: Bournemouth environmental hub to open late in autumn
Read more: Unisex lavatories to open along the seafront later this year
Construction started in September 2021, with the walls of the kiosk and toilets being installed, but a council spokesman said the kiosk and decked area will be fitted out to do a soft opening this winter.
BCP Council’s spokesman said: “The construction work on the Hub is being completed this month. The fit out and preparation for opening the kiosk, toilets and decked area has now commenced, with an official opening date for the facility planned for spring 2023 when visitor numbers will be much higher.
“Until then, we’ll be fitting out the kiosk and decked area to do a soft opening of the facilities this winter.
“The Seafront Team will also be operating out of the Waste Transfer Station to make a proactive start on improving the management of, and learning from, any waste left by our visitors.”
Funded with £2.4 million from the Coastal Communities Fund, the environmental hub will take a lead on recycling in public spaces and will educate and change people’s behaviour along the seafront.
A council spokesperson previously told the Echo work will be completed in the autumn.
Complications around Covid, material shortages and disrupted supply chains which have affected some of the specialist elements of the build have all been factors for the delayed launch.
Work halted during the summer months after a trench was needed to be dug up by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to take a new cable to the site.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel