Civic centre added to charity's 'at risk' register

A listed civic building that a council approved the sale of nearly a year ago is "at risk", a national heritage charity said.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council approved the sale of the vacant Grade II listed former Borough of Poole site in July 2025 but it has yet to be sold to developers for an agreed £5.25m.

SAVE Britain's Heritage added it to its annual buildings at risk register because it is empty and what it said is uncertainty over its future use.

BCP Council's deputy leader Mike Cox said the authority does not believe the building to be "at risk" and that its sale will help its preservation.

It has been empty since 2022 and last year the council said it was costing £228,000 a year to maintain.

But Poole's MP Neil Duncan-Jordan said the council's decision to sell it was "an appalling act of public vandalism…when it could have been used for much needed key-worker housing for NHS staff, business units and community spaces."

He added: "Instead we are likely to get more posh flats that local residents simply can't afford."

But Cox added: "The sale will unlock development at a key site, bringing it back into use for years to come.

"It will also create more opportunities and investment for Poole and its residents, while saving the taxpayer around £228,000 per year in maintenance costs.

"That saving will generate vital funds to protect essential council services such as adult and children's social care and pay for things that matter to our residents.

"The sale fully complies with a democratic decision and vote undertaken by the council last year. We will inform residents when the sale is complete."