INITIAL results of a major consultation aimed at improving a deprived neighbourhood in Bournemouth have been presented to the community.

The West Howe Regeneration Partnership has undertaken in-depth research into the needs of the suburb and, by working with the Design Council, has developed a plan of action, which aims to create better outside spaces by improving parks, streets and buildings.

Neighbourhood development officer Martha Searle said as the area was predominantly built in the 1960s, it was time to take a fresh look at the built environment and question whether it is meeting the needs of the people living there.

“We have spent over 50 hours surveying with local residents every street, park and pavement in 50 metre chunks,” she explained. “It was a huge undertaking. Every 50 metres we stopped and we asked: how safe is this area? Is it well maintained? Do I feel good here?

“We then sent a box of photographs of everything we found up to the Design Council in London and they have funnelled that information into this exhibition.”

Last Friday and Saturday the ideas were presented in form of a ‘design festival’ at North Bournemouth Children’s Centre, Heathlands Primary School and the Henry Brown Centre.

Residents were told problems were already being tackled as a result of the consultation and invited to give further feedback on the ideas presented, with the partnership asking children, teens and adults alike to rank the ideas before funding is sought.

“Initially we had people being quite cynical, saying ‘here we go again’ – but actually it’s not ‘here we go again’ – it is a really unique opportunity,” added Ms Searle.

“The council, together with the police and crime commissioner and public health, have together invested £30,000 in this process so already they are showing us they are investing in this community.

“The final report will be worked up with the regeneration partnership in early December and the next stage is again working with local residents to design what the future looks like.”