BBC Dorset

Council considers turning Bournemouth tourist centre into cafe

Council considers turning Bournemouth tourist centre into cafe

Bournemouth's Tourist Information Centre could be relocated and the existing seafront building turned into a cafe, if plans are approved.Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council said the proposal was part of efforts "to maximise the potential of all council-owned commercial assets".A planning application seeks to change the building's use to a takeaway "for the sale of hot and cold food, ice cream and paninis".More than 20 neighbours have so far objected to the plans. A consultation ends on…

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Sandbanks Ferry toll road plan shelved after inquiry

Sandbanks Ferry toll road plan shelved after inquiry

Michael Garlick / GeographBulk-buying discounts for ferry users will be retainedPlans to introduce a toll on the approach road to a ferry have been shelved following a public inquiry.Operators of Sandbanks Ferry in Dorset had sought permission to charge drivers to use Ferry Road in Studland to reduce congestion.Following an inquiry in January, the Secretary of State followed an inspector's recommendation and said the toll "should not go ahead at this stage".The ferry firm, which owns the section…

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Bournemouth Air Festival plans turned down by council

Bournemouth Air Festival plans turned down by council

An application to bring back a popular air festival was turned down due to a lack of information, a council has said.Recent plans to revive the Bournemouth Airshow, last held in August 2024, included a paid ticketing scheme.Organiser Dave Rogers hoped to raise £1m by charging for an Aircard that would offer 10% off food and drink at the event.Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) said: "We've carefully assessed the application in line with our processes and, at…

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Gay naval veteran ’emotional’ to be part of Remembrance parade

Gay naval veteran ’emotional’ to be part of Remembrance parade

Briony LeylandSouth of England, Bournemouth BBCFormer Petty Officer Alex Rasmussen was discharged from the Royal Navy for being gay in 1996A navy veteran who was discharged from the armed forces for being gay has said he feels "proud and emotional" to be part of Remembrance events.Former Petty Officer Alex Rasmussen, from Bournemouth, was made to leave the Royal Navy in 1996 after colleagues discovered his sexuality.The government said it deeply regretted the historic mistreatment of LGBT people in…

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Arrests made in Bournemouth in people-smuggling investigation

Arrests made in Bournemouth in people-smuggling investigation

Two men have been arrested in Bournemouth as part of a joint investigation into people smuggling with police in Belgium.The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) said a 33-year-old from Southampton and a 55-year-old from Bournemouth were arrested near Southbourne Grove on Wednesday on suspicion of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.At the same time, a man in Belgium was arrested and five men, believed to be intending to travel to the UK by lorry, were stopped.The suspect…

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Portland incinerator set to go ahead after court decision

Portland incinerator set to go ahead after court decision

Stephen StaffordSouth of EnglandStop Portland Waste IncineratorCampaigners had taken the case to the Court of Appeal after losing a High Court decision in MarchA planned waste incinerator near Dorset's Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site is set to go ahead following a Court of Appeal decision.The application for the facility at Portland Port was given the go-ahead by the government in September 2024, despite initially being refused by Dorset Council.The court rejected a legal challenge by the Stop Portland…

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Police investigate reported attack at Bournemouth park

Police investigate reported attack at Bournemouth park

A cordon has been set up at a park as police investigate a reported rape.Dorset Police said a woman, aged in her 30s, reported being attacked by a man in a wooded area off Maxwell Road in Bournemouth at about 21:20 GMT on Wednesday.The force said a detailed investigation was being carried out and the victim was being supported by specially trained officers.Police remain at Winton Recreation Ground carrying out inquiries and urged anyone with information or concerns…

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Beaver supermoon captured over the south of England

Beaver supermoon captured over the south of England

ArtickleThe moon was glowing over Crowmarsh Gifford, Oxfordshire, in this picture by BBC Weather Watcher ArticklePhotographers across the south of England have been sharing their pictures of the Beaver supermoon.The largest, brightest Moon of the year rose on Wednesday with many areas of Dorset, Hampshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire lucky enough to have a clear sky.The Beaver Moon was bigger and brighter than earlier supermoons this year due to the fact that it is the closest full Moon to…

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Man jailed for raping two women in their own homes in Poole

Man jailed for raping two women in their own homes in Poole

A rapist has been jailed for attacking two vulnerable women in their own homes within hours of each other.Daniel Hart, 29, raped a woman in her 70s in Poole, Dorset, after entering her home during the night. Hours later, on 15 May, he attacked a woman in her 40s in her flat.Police said the elderly woman had dementia while the second victim was also "a vulnerable woman with disabilities".Hart, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the rape…

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Hopes for Dorset Council road improvement funding boost

Hopes for Dorset Council road improvement funding boost

Stephen StaffordSouth of EnglandGoogleThe A30 bridge at Shaftesbury is among the repair projects that could be fundedRoad improvements in Dorset could receive a £115m funding boost, the county council has said.Dorset Council's Highways Capital Programme Strategy has been released with plans for spending on roads over the next four years.It said it could potentially receive extra funding from central government for projects including the including repairs to the A30 Shaftesbury Bridge, on top of £15.5m confirmed for work…

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Bournemouth park eco-friendly viewing platform opens to public

Bournemouth park eco-friendly viewing platform opens to public

A park has installed a viewing platform made from recycled plastic to give visitors better access to its pond life.The environmentally friendly structure at Queen's Park in Bournemouth has a wood-like effect and was opened to the public on Monday.Queen's Park and Charminster Neighbourhood Forum submit a successful bid to Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council for the work.The local authority allocated community infrastructure levy funding to get the project off the ground.Councillor Alasdair Keddie, ward councillor for…

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BBC local radio completes Children in Need three-legged walk

BBC local radio completes Children in Need three-legged walk

Curtis LancasterSouth of EnglandBBCBBC Radio Berkshire's Sophie Drew, Kemi Spence, Ellie Tutt and Katie Tyler celebrated with PudseyRadio presenters in the south have completed a mammoth three-legged walk for Children Need.They joined colleagues from 40 BBC local radio stations who were challenged by Pudsey to tie their legs together and trek a combined total of 1,000 miles.Presenters from each station were tied to volunteers, who provided the extra leg.BBC Radio Solent, BBC Radio Oxford and BBC Radio Berkshire…

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