Published on Friday 14 March 2025
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council is seeking feedback from residents regarding a proposed extra-care housing development in Oakdale, Poole.
The development would provide vulnerable members of our communities with self-contained homes, whilst around-the-clock support would be available on-site for care needs, help with domestic tasks and social interaction as required.
Construction would take place on the former Oakdale Adult Education site, which has been vacant since 2021.
The proposed development comprises of 60 contemporary one and two bed flats and 11 two bed terraced houses, offering sought after accommodation for up to 166 people.
This type of housing offers more assistance than sheltered housing, whilst continuing to promote independent living wherever possible.
The BCP area only has a limited number of extra-care housing schemes currently, and there is an increasing need for this type of housing because of our aging population.
Councillor Kieron Wilson, BCP Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory Services, said:
“We believe this modern, extra-care housing development will be of positive benefit to the growing number of vulnerable people across our communities, as well as to the local Oakdale area and its residents.
“The former Adult Education Centre site, which hasn’t been used since 2021, provides the perfect location for these extra-care homes, being close to many local shops and services including a library, doctors, hairdressers and pharmacy.
“We have worked closely with our contractor, MH Architects, throughout the design process to create a contemporary building which is suitable and provides sufficient facilities for the residents living there, whilst being visually attractive from the outside and incorporating amenities that are of direct value to the wider local community.
“As with any project of this nature, we are keen to speak with residents of Oakdale and from across the conurbation to understand what they like about the proposed development, what they think could be improved, and any concerns they might have at this early stage.
“We really value your feedback, so please take the time to complete our survey so that your views can be properly captured.”
A bookable public activity and community space has been incorporated into initial designs, alongside a café with outdoor seating for the local community.
Overall, the design proposes over 300 squared metres of space for resident and staff facilities, over 140 squared metres of private external space, and 300 squared metres of internal and external public facilities.
Access to these public facilities would be available directly through the rear of the building via the recreation park, which will not be impacted as part of the potential development.
For more information on this proposal, and to complete the consultation survey, please click here.
The survey opens at 09:00AM on Friday 14 March and will close at 23:59PM on Monday 7 April.
The Council is also operating two in person drop-in events, providing opportunities for residents to ask any questions they might have about the proposal, and to obtain further information.
Drop-in sessions will be held at St George’s Church, Darbys Lane, Oakdale, Poole BH15 3EU, on:
- Wednesday 26 March, 19:00-21:30
- Monday 31 March, 15:00-18:00