REDEVELOPMENT of a disused building in Poole town centre is one step closer to getting started after BCP Council’s cabinet agreed to surrender power. 

Poole Property Investments submitted its application for Arndale House off George Roundabout back in 2018. 

It won approval to build an 11-storey block of flats comprising 128 flats and commercial units in May 2021 but so far there has been no progress. 

This is because the site, along with the Dolphin centre and Kingland, was part of Poole Borough Council’s estate that was passed over to BCP Council during the merger in April 2019. 

Arndale House off George RoundaboutArndale House off George Roundabout

For progress to finally start, BCP Council must surrender its existing head lease and regrant a long new lease to facilitate the proposed development by the head lessee. 

Andy Hadley, ward councillor for Poole town and a cabinet member, said the new development will “reenergise” the area and avoid assumptions that it’s part of the town centre’s decline. 

He said: “Many of the units have been empty for some time and it’s a blot on the landscape in the town centre. 

“People arrive at the George Roundabout and think they’re vacant and think it's part of the decline of the town centre. They’re not, they’ve just been rendered unusable.” 

At the time it was proposed, the scheme received much criticism because none of the 128 flats were deemed “affordable”. 

Kingland House off George RoundaboutKingland House off George Roundabout

Andy Hadley (centre) was all for the developmentAndy Hadley (centre) is all for the development (Image: Richard Crease)

Most of the flats would be either one-or two-bedroom and nine commercial units would be created on the ground floor. 

The development, which has been named Kingland House, will be built on land in between the George Roundabout and Lighthouse. 

Cabinet members voted in favour of surrendering the lease, clearing the first hurdle ahead of a final agreement by all councillors next week. 

Deputy leader Millie Earl said it will give a “very good opportunity to change that welcome into Poole as you come in on the bus or on the train”. 

Bosses behind the scheme previously said: “With a trend towards urban living, in the town or city centres, this scheme will bring residents to the town centre and increase vitality and quality of life.”