SP Broadway were delighted to welcome Cllr Millie Earl, Leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, as the guest speaker for our latest online Politics of Planning roundtable.
Attendees from Turley, Richborough, Watkin Jones, Abri, Savills and Mace, among others, all contributed to the discussion. Topics covered included the emerging Local Plan and its constraints, local government finance, and the potential impacts of a Wessex mayoral authority.
Cllr Earl leads the Three Towns Alliance (featuring the Liberal Democrats and two residents’ associations), and a politically diverse council, with 11 distinct political groupings represented in the full Chamber. She gave an in-depth overview of the planning landscape in her area, including updates on the Council’s social housing, policies on high-rise buildings, and its significant land holdings. Additionally, Cllr Earl emphasised that Bournemouth is open for business, sharing her ambition to reshape the area’s narrative and encourage increased investment and regeneration.
There was discussion about the challenges associated with an ageing population, from council funding to the need for accessible buildings. Conversations about topics such as proposals for new large-scale retail spaces and the heritage and conservation areas around Bournemouth were also informative for guests.
Our thanks to Cllr Earl and guests for attending and contributing to such an interesting discussion. To ensure you’re among the first to hear about all our upcoming events, sign up to our mail list by clicking on the Politics of Planning tab above.
