POOLE’S largest regeneration site has been confirmed as one of the flagship schemes in the government’s new pilot Housing Zone programme.

The former power station site in Hamworthy was shortlisted in January as one of 29 areas outside London and it is hoped the boost will kick start the long awaited development of the 32 acre site.

The programme offers the chance to unlock brownfield land with the potential to deliver viable housing schemes through a long term investment.

The government is making £200million of loan funding available to the private sector at a much cheaper borrowing rate.

Following a joint bid from Borough of Poole and landowners Gallaghers/Lands Improvement Holdings, approximately £13.1m has been earmarked for the former power station site.

Funding which is provided to the landowner and must be repaid, can be used for infrastructure and remedial work enabling the site to be developed for housing.

Hamworthy is one of 20 housing zones in England which could deliver up to 38,000 homes.

There are plans to build up to 1,350 new homes on the former power station site, a new public quay and a food store. The plans have been developed over 10 years of public engagement and are yet to go before a planning committee.

“This is very good news for Poole,” said Cllr Mike White, Borough of Poole cabinet portfolio holder for planning and regeneration.

“The government has listened to our concerns about the viability of delivering housing on the former power station site and is prepared to offer its support to us and the owners of the site to try to bring it forward sooner rather than later.”

The former power station was supported by a 150,000 ton concrete cap underneath the turbine and boiler house and the towering chimneys, which remains on the site. It is thought this would cost millions of pounds to remove and fears had been raised that this could make it too costly to develop.

Going through the site is the Rigler Road link to the Twin Sails Bridge, which was opened in 2012 and was a necessary precursor to development.

The power station was demolished in 1998 and the land was bought in 2002. Since then the landowners have committed more than £5million for local community infrastructure.