Poole Civic Centre placed on heritage ‘at risk’ register due to 'uncertain future'
The future of Poole’s historic civic centre has come under renewed scrutiny after the vacant Grade II-listed building was added to the annual buildings-at-risk register
A historic civic building has been listed as “at risk” by a national heritage charity.
Poole’s grade II-listed Civic Centre has been added to SAVE Britain’s Heritage’s annual buildings at risk register due to vacancy and uncertainty over its future use.
Nominations for the register are made by members of the public wishing to highlight vacant or neglected historic buildings in need of protection.
SAVE uses the register to raise awareness and promote re-use, alongside campaigning against wasteful demolition to help find opportunities for viable reuse.
Neil Duncan-Jordan, MP for Poole, said: “I’m not surprised this building has been nominated by local people to be included on the risk register.
“It’s an appalling act of public vandalism to sell it off when we know it could have been used for much needed key-worker housing for NHS staff, business units and community spaces.
“Instead we are likely to get more posh flats that local residents simply can’t afford.
“Not only does this start to strip away Poole’s civic identity, but it gets rid of a public asset that local people will never get back.
“BCP has effectively centralised almost everything in Bournemouth and people in our town feel like they are being left behind.
“Poole has a proud history that needs to be protected and celebrated for years to come.”
Poole Civic Centre has stood vacant since 2022 with the local authority citing high maintenance costs as its reason for selling the site.
A Manchester-based developer is currently in the process of purchasing the building.
Cllr Mike Cox, deputy leader of BCP Council and portfolio holder for finance, said: “Poole Civic Centre is a Grade II listed building. We do not believe it is at risk. The sale will enable the historic elements of the Civic Centre to be enhanced and preserved.
“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.”
It is understood that the sale of Poole Civic Centre has not yet been finalised.