Churchill Retirement Living has unveiled its £30million plans to regenerate a former gas works site in the heart of Christchurch with around 170 new homes, comprising a mixture of retirement living, open market homes suitable for first time buyers, and affordable housing.
Since acquiring the site on Bridge Street, the Ringwood-based developer has been working with adjoining landowners and BCP Council to develop its plans as part of the emerging BCP Local Plan.
Spencer J McCarthy, Churchill’s Chairman & CEO, said: “This is a very different approach for Churchill and one of our most ambitious and exciting redevelopment projects to date. By delivering a mix of different housing types we are looking to transform the old gasworks site into an attractive new community for people of all ages, which in turn will create hundreds of new jobs, boost the local economy and support the local high street. We will also be investing hundreds of thousands of pounds in site clean-up and remediation of the old gasworks, as well as local infrastructure improvement and measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of the site.
“We will continue to work closely with BCP Council and other key stakeholders to develop our plans, and we look forward to making our vision a reality over the coming years.”
Cllr Nigel Brooks, BCP Council Cabinet & Member for Christchurch Regeneration added: “The completion of the acquisition of the former Gas Works site by Churchill is a key step forward to see this important redundant town centre site redeveloped for much needed housing. When taken together with the former Christchurch Civic Offices site next door, the whole area has an exceptional opportunity to create a desirable and vibrant ‘Quarter’ to this part of historic Christchurch.”
