This milestone follows months of dedicated community engagement, with three consultation processes and over 200 responses – a clear sign of the appetite for greater local influence and collaboration.

For Councillor Sara Armstrong, Green ward councillor for East Cliff & Springbourne, this was an election pledge. She welcomed the decision and paid tribute to the many residents, officers and colleagues who contributed to this achievement.

Sara said: “This is a defining moment for East Cliff and Springbourne. It’s the result of tireless work by local people who care deeply about where they live – people who believe in a better future and want to shape it together.

“To everyone who took part: thank you for your time, your energy, and your belief in this process.”

Neighbourhood Planning empowers communities to influence land use, design and development in their area. It creates a structured, legally recognised platform to bring residents, businesses and organisations together around shared goals.

“This proposal isn’t about drawing lines, it’s about bringing people together,” Cllr Armstrong continued. “We are one community, facing shared challenges and holding shared hopes. This will give us the opportunity to respond collectively to the issues we face – from derelict buildings and anti-social behaviour, to the impact of unregulated Houses in Multiple Occupation and the need for safer, more inclusive neighbourhoods.”

The East Cliff & Springbourne Neighbourhood Forum builds on strong grassroots momentum, and means that a united, forward-looking vision for the area can now be created.

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Green Councillor Simon Bull spoke: “Imagine a world without victory in Europe – a world where tyranny triumphed, where darkness endured. That world could have been ours – if not for the courage, the sacrifice, unbreakable resolve of those who stood against it. We remember them: those who fought, those who fell. Those who carried unbearable loss… They paid the price of our freedom.

“They came from every corner of the world, from every walk of life. From every faith, and none. Their strength was not in their sameness, it was in their unity across difference. That unity won the war.

“That unity must guide us still… We owe them more than remembrance. We owe them vigilance. We must stand against those who seek to divide, deceive and dominate. Their tools may be different today, but their aims are not. In honour of the fallen, and in defence of the future, we must say clearly: never again.”

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Neighbourhood plans can benefit communities in many ways:

Additional resources
More CIL monies and an evidence base to bid for more much needed resources for our ward.

Community ownership
Neighbourhood plans give communities more say in shaping their local area’s development and growth.

Local issues
Communities can gain a better understanding of local issues and how to address them.

Community engagement
Neighbourhood planning can bring a community together.

Vision
Communities can establish a vision for their area, including what they want their neighbourhood to look like in the future.

Planning policies
Communities can influence planning policies that set out where new development should be located and how it should be designed.

Local green spaces
Communities can identify and protect local green spaces.

Certainty
Neighbourhood plans can provide greater certainty for developers and communities about the allocation of housing sites.

Quality development
Neighbourhood plans can improve the quality of development and help to respond better to the character and heritage of local areas.

Sara adds: “In a short video filmed last year I introduced the value of Neighbourhood Plans and my commitments to our community.

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“BCP Council is consulting on the proposed East Cliff and Springbourne Neighbourhood Forum and Area boundary.

“Eastcliff and Springbourne Residents Group has applied to the council for a neighbourhood forum and BCP Council are now seeking comments on the application which includes designating a neighbourhood area.

“The consultation period will run for seven weeks, starting on 19 August and ending on 7 October 2024.

“Huge thanks to everyone involved so far! When we achieve our own Neighbourhood Plan and have an active Neighbourhood Forum it will really make a difference in terms of planning, development and getting more resources for our community.

“Please have your say using this link.”

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They were later joined by Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner David Sidwick for a round-table discussion about how community cohesion, dialogue and mutual understanding can be facilitated amongst all members of our community.

Sara said: “Please contact myself or my ward colleagues, Cllr Anne Filer [Conservative] or Cllr Anne-Marie Moriarty [Labour], if you are interested to get involved with any interfaith work. Working together for a kinder, happier world “

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Sara said: “As my other ward colleagues have also been hearing concerns raised by other residents too, I’ve subsequently submitted an e-petition to BCP Council on behalf of ward councillors and residents asking them to reconsider. This will need at least 2,000 signatures from residents to be considered by the Council. [Link to follow as soon as it’s been approved by Democratic Services.]

“There are three local schools immediately in the vicinity of this already busy junction. School Crossing Patrollers play a key role in educating young people at the earliest of ages and their families about road safety. The crossing is in an area where there is a diverse multi-cultural community. Many families have English as a second language and are still integrating into the community. This role provides vital support for them in terms of helping them stay safe on the road.

“Being such a part of the community also enables the School Crossing Patroller to be aware of the needs of the area, and highlight any safeguarding concerns. Many families rely on them for signposting and reassurance. The loss of this role – ‘the friendly face’ at the start and end of the school day – in this particular community will have an adverse impact from an equalities perspective, and as a vital resource for the Council as well as for the families in the neighbourhood.

“The important role they have in our community can nowhere near be replaced by the automated pelican lights.”

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“Community is everything and we are fortunate to serve.”

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CHARM aims to improve relationships between BU students and our permanent resident communities, with a focus on minimising anti-social behaviour and environmental health issues.

Chris commented: “I’m pleased to be continuing our working relationship with BU, the letting agencies, BCP environmental health, the police and other partners in the CHARM initiative. That this is now extending into Queen’s Park will benefit many more residents and students.”

Alasdair said: “Problems are getting resolved before they impact the community.”

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Councillor Simon Bull said: “I have been keen to get these meetings going again, as it is so important that we work together to address the issues with living as a community.”

The Student Union at Bournemouth University (SUBU) runs a paid Community Warden Scheme, in partnership with both BU and AUB. The wardens are a team of students paid to work each week, patrolling the main student roads in Winton, Wallisdown and Charminster. They aim to support both students and permanent residents, and to help them integrate together in the local community. 

The scheme has had vacancies in Winton this academic year, and Simon encourages community-minded students to sign up as wardens. Simon says: “I think the warden scheme can be part of the solution. It’s easier for students to build rapport with other students, when for example knocking on the door of a student house.”

Simon added: “One thing to say is that it is important that incidents of anti-social behaviour are reported to the council and to the police so that they are recorded. If they are not recorded it is harder to build a picture and get action taken.”

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