Latest news with #BCPCouncil
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council new chief executive
A senior Dorset Council officer has been announced as the new chief executive of another local Dunn, who currently holds Dorset's finance brief, is moving to take control of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) is taking over from Graham Farrant, who announced his retirement earlier in 2025. Mr Dunn is expected to be on a salary of more than £200,000 a year and his appointment is subject to final approval by BCP Council on 3 June. His appointment comes after what BCP say was a "rigorous" recruitment authority statement said: "Aidan is an accomplished and forward-thinking public sector leader with over three decades of experience spanning local government, the civil service and the NHS." It added he had played a "pivotal role" in establishing the new unitary authority while working for Dorset Earl, leader of BCP Council, added: "He brings a wealth of experience, energy and enthusiasm and I am confident he will work with members to take BCP Council on the next stage of our exciting journey."Mr Dunn said he felt "excited and very privileged" to secure the role. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Huge £3m adventure park in popular UK seaside town suddenly SHUTS after ‘crumbling concrete' found in roof
POPULAR seaside town's adventure park has been forced to shut after "crumbling concrete" was found on its roof. Building repairs are set to occur on the site after the Raac (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) was discovered and raised safety concerns. 2 2 Flip Out Poole, which is located in Dorset's The Dolphin Centre, will close from Tuesday June 3 as building repairs are underway. A guest notice from The Flip Out Team has been shared on their website: "We know this isn't the news our amazing Poole community wanted to hear - and we want to say a huge thank you for all the energy, joy and epic memories you've brought through our doors up to now. "All guests with upcoming bookings will be automatically refunded in full, so there's nothing you need to do. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause." The Raac concrete which was found on the roof of The Hub is considered to be an unstable material. It is weaker than conventional concrete and susceptible to collapsing, particularly when wet or does not have adequate support from steel beams. The Hub also housed offices for BCP Council workers. It is understood affected areas are only isolated to the Flip Out section of the shopping centre. There is subsequently no imminent danger posed to visitors or staff, according to an investigation by building and structural engineers for The Dolphin centre. Centre manager for The Dolphin, John Grinnell, said: 'Legal & General are committed to a proactive approach to building maintenance. "These works are a proactive measure to avoid any potential unsafe conditions in the future. What is RAAC concrete? 'We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by the closure. Our team aims to complete these works as soon as possible, which will provide a permanent solution and ensure Flip Out Poole can reopen for many years to come." With the Raac concrete found only in one area of the centre, the rest of The Dolphin will remain open as usual whilst the repair works are happening. A post by the general manager of Flip Out was shared on social media, but has since been removed. He wrote: "To be clear this is due to the roof of the facility having been made with Raac concrete. 'The landlord must complete refurbishment works to ensure the building is safe to occupy.' The essential maintenance is being carried out by the landlord of The Dolphin. Raac concrete schools, hospitals and court house buildings. Adventure parks have also been facing challenges this year in terms of closures, which has been send as a blow to children's entertainment sites.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Pole dancer is set to win planning battle to keep dance studio at her £700,000 bungalow despite angry neighbours' complaints over 'grunting and loud noise'
A pole dancer is on track to win the planning battle to keep a dance studio at her posh £700,000 bungalow despite locals' complaints of 'grunting and loud music'. Samilou Saunders has been battling 'generational bias' from neighbours in the town who are against her business. She has operated the studio from her bungalow in Christchurch, Dorset, for the past two years, but it faced the threat of closure after complaints were raised by local residents. Neighbours argued that the studio was having a 'devastating' impact on their lives, pointing to loud music during classes and parking problems. They were supported by local councillor Margaret Phipps, who deemed the business 'inappropriate' for a residential neighbourhood. However, Mrs Saunders, whose clientele includes doctors, accountants, vets, nurses, and school teachers, believes the opposition stems more from discomfort with a pole dancing studio in the area than genuine concerns. Now in her 40s, Mrs Saunders was required to submit a retrospective planning application in January in a bid to continue running the studio. Now, planning officers at Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council have recommended it be approved. In his report, planning officer Peter Walters recommended introducing conditions to curb noise disturbance and restrict opening hours in an effort to address the complaints. Mrs Saunders said she felt a sense of relief but admitted the dispute has strained her relationship with her neighbours. She said: 'This has been going on for nearly two years now. It's been a lot of stress and I've been really down about it. 'Some of the things neighbours said were quite horrible and shocking. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I'm glad the planning officer has seen through the lies about music and noise. 'If I honestly thought I was causing an issue I would have gone round to my neighbours and said what can I do to sort this out? 'I don't feel like I can wave and smile at people anymore, I feel intimidated. They (objectors) will stand and stare at me when I leave the house. 'I'm very pleased with the report, I'm feeling really positive about the outcome. 'I'm hoping when it's all over, we can just move on, but I don't feel like I'm quite there yet.' The mother previously ran a studio in Bournemouth but relocated the business to her home during the Covid pandemic, continuing operations there due to the ongoing cost of living crisis. She is the sole employee and typically works around 20 hours per week, holding small classes of up to eight people, spread throughout all seven days. Her planning application lists the studio's hours as 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12pm on weekends. However, the timetable published on her website shows only one or two classes per day during the week, usually around 10am and again at 6 or 7pm. She stated that the studio is fitted with air conditioning, meaning windows and doors remain closed during sessions, and that music is not audible from outside. She also noted that music is not played during the classes themselves. Despite this, neighbours insisted the business was ruining their enjoyment of their homes and the surrounding neighbourhood. Alan Forage, 83, a retired scientist who lives next door, said: 'We (the residents) are all reasonably old and at our age we just want peace and quiet in a nice area, a quiet life. 'In the summer when windows are open you hear grunting and loud music and chatting when the pole dancing classes are on.' Neighbour John Thompson wrote: 'We, the residents, have put up with this intrusion into a totally quiet residential area with a devastating effect on our amenity. 'We are the people who have experienced the significant disruption from the noise from the pole dancing music and the effect of the parking not only the road but also on our grass verges which we maintain on a regular basis. 'This application should be rejected and the building brought back in line with the original planning approval, namely construction of an enlarged replacement garage, not an unauthorised pole dancing business in the heart of a quiet residential area.' Dorothy and Michael English wrote: 'We feel that our home is no longer as enjoyable. We can no longer use the garden freely. Our mental health and wellbeing is being affected.' The BCP planning committee will vote on the matter at a meeting next week. Mrs Saunders said: 'I am still a bit on edge for the meeting. 'I've been told the councillors would have to have a good reason to refuse it and go against the officer's recommendation.'
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Calls for better transport links to Bournemouth Airport
Campaigners are calling for better transport links to Bournemouth Airport. Poole resident Nikita Ovcinnikovs, who has launched a petition, said he and many others were surprised by the lack of bus routes to the Hurn-based site. There is currently a bus that goes from Bournemouth town centre to the airport but it only travels twice on weekdays and arrives before 07: Airport said it was "in active discussions" with the local council and bus firms "to explore improved connectivity". Mr Ovcinnikovs told BBC Radio Solent: "The petition isn't there specifically to put the onus on the council because I know it's not just the council's job to get it sorted."It's more to get the voices heard of the local residents. Maybe that issue hasn't been raised enough and I feel like with the petition we may be able to do that." The petition, which is on BCP Council's website, had accumulated 181 signatures by Wednesday evening. It runs until 30 June. Morebus operates the 737 service for the Wade, general manager for the group, said it "would be keen to operate a trial service should funding become available for such a route". Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council said the authority would "welcome enhanced bus services to and from the airport"."Bus services are not operated by the council - they are provided by commercial operators and whilst the council can help subsidise some routes we are limited in what we can do," a spokesperson said. He said that it should not be complicated to arrange more buses, as there is a route already in place.A Bournemouth Airport spokesperson said: "We are aware of concerns around public transport access to the airport and are in active discussions with local partners, including BCP Council, to explore improved connectivity."This includes better public transport links and wider opportunities for improved pedestrian and cycle access as part of future development plans." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Overnight fire destroys Bournemouth beach huts
Several beach huts on the seafront in Bournemouth have been destroyed in an overnight fire. Fire crews were called to East Beach on Bournemouth seafront at around 1.20am where a blaze had engulfed the huts and part of the cliff. Despite the efforts of the emergency services, seven of the huts were destroyed and two others were damaged. The crews were able to extinguish the fire within two hours and an investigation is now underway. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council said it was now possible to access the site but urged the public to stay away from the huts while teams carry out work. Social media users shared footage of massive fires consuming the beach huts while smoke clouds rose. One of the huts damaged in the fire, Beach Hut 2359, is the first municipal beach hut in the UK, according to a blue plaque on its exterior. It was one of 29 beach huts in the areas that are set to be demolished for £9m worth of repairs. BCP council said it is reviewing CCTV footage of the area as part of its investigation. 'We thank the fire service for their swift response, as well as residents and visitors for their understanding and cooperation with the safety measures in place around the site of the fire,' a statement from the council said. A statement from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: 'We were called to East Beach, Undercliff Drive, Bournemouth at 1.20am this morning (27 May) for a fire involving multiple beach huts. 'Crews attended from Springbourne, Westbourne and Redhill Park, together with the aerial ladder platform from Westbourne. They found nine huts well alight, as well as an area of cliff approx 25m x 15m. 'Two main jets and four hose reel jets were used to extinguish the fire, and the stop was at 2.50am. 'The scene was handed over to BCP Council, and investigations will continue today into what caused the fire.'
