News & Events

The Association urges action to save Beach Road Car Park [8th February 2024] – The Branksome Park & Canford Cliffs Residents Association today expressed its vehement opposition to the proposed disposal of a large part of Beach Road Car Park, calling it a “short-sighted and damaging decision” that would negatively impact residents, visitors, and the local economy. At the full Council meeting on Tuesday 20th Feb, the Council … Read More

The latest magazine is fresh off the press so keep an eye open for it when out and about, the digital version is available, please click here.

The Summer 2023 Pines and Chines magazine is available in digital format here  

The Winter 2022 Pines and Chines magazine is available in digital format here

The Pines and Chines Winter magazine is out now, you can download our on-line version here.

BCP Seafront Consultation is open until 26 Sept. BCP Council is developing a new Seafront Strategy and is inviting those who live, work and visit the area to help shape the approach to protecting, managing and developing the seafront and harbour coastline over the next 20 years. The Strategy aims to establish a ‘World Class Seafront’ promoting inward investment, tourism, community use, wellbeing and sustainability, whilst protecting our natural … Read More

The latest edition of our magazine is now available to read so keep an eye out for them, you can also download the pdf file over on the magazine page here

These were sent in by Bow Franks Waterfall Allen age 6. You can view them on our competition page – A Celebration of Children’s Art here.

These were sent in by Noa Lieberman age 3. You can view them on our competition page – A Celebration of Children’s Art here.

BCP is managing a £9.5 million investment programme for Poole’s seafront. A substantial part of the programme is the cliff stabilisation project. This represents a vital investment for the area and with it the existing Canford Cliffs pavilion will be transformed into an exciting new modern café. Plus there will be refurbished public lavatories and some new beach huts. This is great news, follow the link to read … Read More

THE END OF THE LEASEHOLD TRAP? AN EXPLANATION OF THE NEW LAWS BEING INTRODUCED TO PROTECT LEASEHOLDERS The ‘scandalous pitfalls of leasehold’ will be banished under new legislation. Homeowners will be able to extend leases up to 990 years at zero ground rent. Leaseholders call for no delays on implementing the new legislation. The end of toxic leaseholds has been announced by the Government – much to the … Read More

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge that local authorities can set on new development in order to raise funds to help fund the infrastructure, facilities and services – such as schools or transport improvements – needed to support new homes and businesses. The infrastructure funding statements are required to set out the infrastructure projects or types of infrastructure that the authority intends to fund, either wholly … Read More

This consultation seeks any views on each part of a package of proposals for reform of the planning system in England to streamline and modernise the planning process, improve outcomes on design and sustainability, reform developer contributions and ensure more land is available for development where it is needed. This consultation covers a package of proposals for reform of the planning system in England, covering plan-making, development management, … Read More

The Association has appointed Julie Ross to the executive committee as our Membership Secretary.  Julie brings years of business experience and key data management skills to the executive committee. Which is vital to the organisation of our existing membership and for the campaign to increase our numbers still further. The BPCCRA plays a vital role defending and promoting our shared values by holding the council, developers, and politicians … Read More

The easing of the lock down rules brought thousands of people to Bournemouth and Poole. The Council declared an Emergency Incident which many people on the beaches and in town thought was a terrorist incident. The plethora of text messages and social media posts that followed only served to increase anxiety amongst residents and visitors alike. BCP issued a statement that prompted your Association to seek clarification and … Read More

The council has had a plan in its bottom drawer for some time to close Poole Quay and the lower High Street to all traffic. Now it has become a reality. Is this a good thing, or could it lead to problems for business and residents? Opinions are divided. Very often when areas are pedestrianised problems can occur in the evening times. On the other hand cars and … Read More

We are all aware of the financial challenges facing our country and the towns we live in.  So we thought  we should bring the following to members’ attention. An important 16 page report is due to be presented at the BCP Cabinet meeting on 24 June 2020 which is being reviewed at Monday’s Overview & Scrutiny Board meeting. Whilst there is an Executive Summary, the following facts are omitted and may be of interest to … Read More

I’m sure many of you will have heard of Forest Holme, either directly or through friends who may have been able to benefit from this exceptional and valuable resource.    But I know from experience, that many locals are not aware of its existence or of the wonderful work they carry out for families dealing with life-limiting illness and the loss of their loved ones. Forest Holme Hospice provides … Read More

Here is an interesting review of Roy’s very interesting article by a member. The Association is very gratified to see its members entering in a well mannered articulate exchange of views. Roy, thank you for your enlightening ‘glass-half-full’ view. I have a relative who is an office-based council worker now currently working from home. I have also worked from home, worked in an office, and employed homeworkers, and … Read More

Rotary is collecting to assist For the love of Scrubs Dorset in providing PROTECTIVE CLOTHING FOR FRONT LINE WORKERS. The need is NOW – not TOMORROW.  We are working closely with Bournemouth and Poole hospitals, local care home staff and doctors’ surgeries to co-ordinate any help. What help do we need? As much cotton fabric as can be obtained for over 600 stitchers making scrubs as they are … Read More

We are living in unprecedented times but rather than think we are facing extinction better to consider the real changes for improvement in our daily lives that will benefit us all for years to come.  Roy Pointer one of our  most able and inspiring members is making a valuable contribution to the discussions in the context of local government. Roy says: “The current crisis provides the opportunity for … Read More

Graham Jones, a member of BPCCRA and one of our hard working volunteers at the Pinecliff Sunken Garden has asked that all members be made aware of the COVID Symptom Tracker and its contribution in fighting this pandemic. Graham says “This App is now being used by almost 3,000,000 people in the UK who are invited to report daily if their health is normal or not and if … Read More

The Royal Voluntary Service is running a Teddy Bears Picnic. Most of us are sitting at home these days so why not join in for a good cause. If you are stuck at home and need something to keep you busy during these weeks of isolation?  Why not join in and help us to create a big Teddy Bears’ Picnic! You can knit, crochet or sew bears in … Read More

Vicky Moss has been working tirelessly in the hope to get funding for improvements to road safety, better footpaths and provision for cyclists throughout BH13. She has conducted in depth research, submitted proposals to BCP and recently made a presentation to the Transport Advisory Committee. No one could have done more. Notwithstanding we are still being ignored and sidelined as a Ward and as an important part of … Read More

As the Corona-virus spreads amongst us the danger, particularly to the young and elderly, intensifies. It was with great regret that the Committee have taken the decision to cancel the March monthly meeting and to postpone the AGM scheduled for April 18th. We will be distributing a “Mail Out” to all members, probably with the magazine to keep in touch over on going issues. It will include a … Read More

How fitting it is to start a new decade with a totally refreshed nursery. The volunteers here at Chestnut Nursery have been working ever so hard to get the retail space and growing areas in tip top shape for the coming season. You should all know by now, that we had a wonderful new shop built last year. However, the rest of the nursery has also required a … Read More

Good news for Canford Cliffs, where the appearance of the empty store-fronts at 31-37 Haven Road has been significantly improved following an intervention by the Association. Residents had raised concerns about the unsightly appearance of the vacant stores at recent Association meetings, noting the negative impact that this had on the neighbourhood and other local traders. The signage above each store had been left in very poor condition … Read More

BPCCRA put forward a comprehensive submission to the Council regarding the new BCP Local Plan There has been an exercise to collate the Planning, Conservation Area, Highways and Environmental Issues presented to the BPCCRA Executive Committee over the course of a year or more. Residents were invited at two meetings in October & November to respond to the consultation for the new Local Plan so that the Committee … Read More

Would we all appreciate the finer days of summer, were it not for the ups and downs of the seasons? Probably not, indeed we really are lucky to be able to sample all of nature’s finest weathers. Its crisp winter mornings and golden sunlight and wet windy storms that whip the seas into a dramatic frenzy, fade in and out of summer, through spring and Autumn. As we … Read More

Some interesting thoughts and ideas for your garden borders from Andrew Verreck the Nursery Manager of the lovely Chestnut Nursery situated at the town side of Poole Park   “Flowers often seem to be the focus of gardeners and nursery growers alike. And its true that flowers bring great joy with their vibrant colours and perfumed scents. But plants can offer so much more than just their brief … Read More

Petition To Improve Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety and Inhibit Excessive Vehicle Speeds In the Branksome Park and Canford Cliffs Area We the undersigned petition the BCP Council to fulfil their statutory duty, in accordance with The Highways Act 1980 section 130. And in fulfilling that duty to: Install Pedestrian Crossing Points where footpaths transverse the roads and at the community hubs identified on the Highway Hazards Map Improve … Read More

The Cliff Top Volunteers were out in force at the the Pinecliff Sunken Garden on Thursday 5th September. For those of you that don’t know, BPCCRA supports the garden project with both volunteers and money. We turn up every week weather permitting to look after these beautiful gardens. Why do we do this? Because it’s good for the soul, the location is stunning beyond words and the gardening … Read More

As Adrian wrote to Jim Durkin of the Echo today (12th August) Dear Jim, BPCCRA would like to thank all involved in helping to publicise this event and our locals’ concerns. By giving it such a high profile via the Echo, together with raising awareness to attendees, BCP, and local enforcement agencies alike, we managed to attract such an unprecedented number of visitors that the local roads were … Read More

Vicky Moss who has joined the BPCCRA Executive committee is making an immediate impact to the benefit of all residents in Branksome Park and Canford Cliffs. Please read her recent email to Andy Hadley of the Poole Peoples Party who holds a transport brief. Andy, Thank you for your reply and I appreciate the work the Unity Alliance are putting in to promoting sustainable travel with the bid … Read More

BPCCRA President John Sprackling attended the first cabinet meeting of the new Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Unified Council on the 13th June. John says, “We now have sight of The Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council’s first version of their Organisational Chart. The chart shows how the organisation is structured to deliver services to the public. But it omits to identify the Tier 1 officer, Graham Farrant, the Chief … Read More

Most of us care about our environment. To me one of the most irritating and annoying aspects of modern life is the seemingly indiscriminate dropping of litter in our public spaces. I’m sure most of do not drop litter but those that do make a fine old mess for the rest of us. So you may be interested in the following. On April 27th and April 28th Poole … Read More

Dear Members, The Executive Committee is pleased is pleased to announce the appointment of Jackie Heap, with immediate effect, to the role of Assistant Treasurer. Our Residents Association continues to go from strength to strength. There is a steady stream of new members joining through our magazine, the web site and our advert running in the Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter. Its is very gratifying to have new members coming … Read More

The Report of Strategic Director (Place) headed ‘Town Centre North redevelopment proposal’ and presented at the Cabinet meeting on 17 April 2018 said “The initial reports on viability of the scheme indicated that the council should ring–fence, where possible, the capital receipts or potential development opportunity presented by certain sites in the periphery of the Borough of Poole. Following further work to understand the development opportunities the Council … Read More

The memories of my early days in Branksome Park made a lasting impression which I shall never forget because the scene was so peaceful and unspoilt. When I came back to Bournemouth from time to time it was to see small parts of our beautiful district steadily being altered by what was termed improvements. These changes were barely noticeable at the time when we had long hot summers, … Read More

UNITING THE BOURNEMOUTH, CHRISTCHURCH AND POOLE CONURBATION (‘UTC’) FORWARD TOGETHER! ONE COMMUNITY, ONE VOICE! http://www.unitingtheconurbation.org.uk   PRESS RELEASE 15 August 2018 Christchurch Borough Council drops its appeal over LG reform The Uniting the Conurbation group (‘UTC’) is pleased to learn that Christopher Chope MP and those Christchurch councillors who challenged the legality of the way in which the Minister and Parliament decided to create a single unitary authority … Read More

Andrew Carswell is a Partner specialising in Civil and Commercial litigation at Trethowans solicitors and explains some of the modern features and relevance of the area of law known as Undue Influence. The legal concept of Undue Influence has been with us for many years.  Although distinct from its older cousin “Duress”, its’ principles are similar.  The central question when dealing with this subject is how the law … Read More

The Council applied to the Upper Tribunal Lands Chamber seeking relief from the Restrictive Covenants relating to the car park on 27 June 2017. The Council’s ‘Statement of case’ is attached. The matter is still subject to determination by the Lands Tribunal. In October last year, it instructed the Council to consult with residents living within a radius of 200 metres from the site and the Association understands … Read More

Poole Council set to sell off the Beach Road car park The Residents Association is fighting to save the Beach Road car park from the developers.  The Council in its search to bridge the funding gap is looking to realise on this valuable community asset. The sale would in our opinion only provide a short-term gain and not help at all with the housing crisis…. building a very … Read More

You will see that the presentation given by BoP starts off with an analysis of the National Debt over the last few years. We can see the challenges the country and consequently our Council are both facing. The file is available to download as a Power Point document click the button below to open or save it to your computer. Roger Allen Vice Chair BPCCRA

The Poole Beach Owners Association is made up of people of all ages who enjoy making new friends and simply enjoying spending time together at one of their their meetings and events. And of course the members all enjoy Poole’s beautiful beaches and the Association works hard to maintain standards. Click on the button below to download the newsletter.   Kind regards, Bob Lister

Due to the second Wednesday of February falling on “Saint Valentine’s Day” The February Meeting of the Residents Association has been changed to Wednesday 21st February 2018. All members and their friends are most welcome to attend. The agenda will be published soon on the Committee page of this web site. Members are encouraged to put topics forward for discussion. Please remember that the BPCCRA is your voice … Read More

It was reported to the Cabinet on 13 June 2017, that the Council has paid 35 firms (29 firms in 2015/16) on individuals in excess of the £10,000 business case threshold. The report simply named the consultants involved with no further data, apart the table at the foot of this note. The Portfolio Holder responsible for the report made no comment about it nor did any of the … Read More

We are very happy to bring some good news to the attention of our Association Members. And that is that the outline planning application for : alterations and extension to existing buildings to improve current sports changing facilities, public toilets and cafe at Whitecliff Pavilion, Whitecliff Road has been granted with conditions. Whilst this proposed development is not exactly in our geographic area the Branksome Park and Canford … Read More

A SAFETY scheme to protect children on Bournemouth’s beaches has been extended to Poole for the first time. LV= KidZone has been running for 11 years and works by giving children free colour-coded wristbands that match up with clearly marked zones along the seafront.  Specially-trained LV= KidZone staff, as well as seafront rangers and RNLI lifeguards, are then on hand to help reunite missing children with their families. … Read More

At the Full Council meeting on Tuesday 10 July 2017, members voted in favour the proposal for Poole and Bournemouth to create a single officer structure for all services. under the overall control of a Joint Committee. Of concern to the ‘opposition’ Members is the political imbalance of Poole’s membership of the proposed Joint Committee to manage the single officer structure for all services for Bournemouth & Poole. … Read More

At the Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting on 19 July 2017, the Chairman (Conservative) used his casting vote to vote against the reopening of the Baiter Park toilets. It was a lively meeting and around 100 residents were in attendance. Two members of the ruling (Conservative) party had the courage to vote in favour of the re-opening. I believe that it’s good to see Members, occasionally, voting … Read More

4-6th August 2017 Canford Cliffs Beach, Poole This tournament has taken place over the past 5 years but has now achieved European Beach Handball Tour approval and is a recognised international event. The tournament reaching this grading and approval sees teams come from across Europe to compete including international and professional teams, it is now appropriate to solidify a long term development plan and strategy securing the tournaments … Read More

Planning consent was granted on Friday, 27 May 2017 to permit the four shops at 31/37 Haven Road, which have stood empty for several years, to be converted to a Tesco Express. The new store will be designed to meet the needs of the people living within the surrounding residential area and will be highly accessible to the local community. The main access to the store will be … Read More

The Branksome Park & Canford Cliffs Residents Association has negotiated a new Partnership Agreement with the Borough of Poole to continue to manage and enhance the Pinecliff Garden, known as the Sunken Garden.  We all know this beauty spot just above the Canford Cliffs beach behind the Canford Cliffs Library.