BBC Dorset

Number of unoccupied council houses falls by 39%

  • Post category:BBC Dorset
Number of unoccupied council houses falls by 39%

Amy WoodwardLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceBCP CouncilConstruction has been completed in Bournemouth on the first of 937 new homes planned for the areaThere has been a decrease of 39% in the number of unoccupied council houses in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in the past five years.In 2020 there were 133 empty properties owned by BCP Council, which had fallen to 81 by November 2025.Data from a Freedom of Information request showed a total of 9,547 council-owned houses across the…

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Beavers Chip and Willow make their home at Mapperton Estate

  • Post category:BBC Dorset
Beavers Chip and Willow make their home at Mapperton Estate

Mapperton EstateChip and Willow were released before Christmas but went in opposite directionsOwners of a country estate are hopeful that love is in the air for two beavers released there as part of a wildlife project.Chip and Willow are the latest additions to Mapperton Wildlands in Dorset, replacing Twiggy and Woody who escaped following storms in 2024.The Eurasian beavers, introduced from different locations, were released into an upgraded enclosure on the estate near Beaminster on 20 December.Upon arrival,…

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Free swims for residents in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

  • Post category:BBC Dorset
Free swims for residents in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Residents in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are to be given free swims as part of a residents' card scheme.BCP Council says it will introduce a free monthly swim to boost health and wellbeing, give residents discounts across the three towns, as well as offers on parking.In her New Year's message to council tax payers, Liberal Democrat council leader Millie Earl says she'll keep fighting to protect local services and set a balanced budget.She said residents will also have…

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Fraser Forster: Former Spurs keeper ‘couldn’t say no’ to joining Bournemouth on six-month deal

  • Post category:BBC Dorset
Fraser Forster: Former Spurs keeper ‘couldn’t say no’ to joining Bournemouth on six-month deal

Bournemouth have signed former Tottenham and Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster on a six-month deal. The 37-year-old arrives at Vitality Stadium as back-up to first-choice stopper Djordje Petrovic after an injury to Will Dennis. Forster, who won the last of his six caps for England in 2016, has been a free agent since leaving Spurs last summer when his contract expired. "The opportunity arose and, for me, it was one that I couldn't say no to," he said."I am…

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Rough sleeping plan activated across south of England

  • Post category:BBC Dorset
Rough sleeping plan activated across south of England

Beds will be available for rough sleepers over the coming days with temperatures expected to remain below freezing at night.Many local authorities across the south of England have activated their Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), which means free emergency accommodation is available to everyone.SWEP is activated when temperatures are set to fall below zero for at least three nights in a row and overnight lows could fall to -6C on Saturday morning."Those sleeping on the streets are at…

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Julian Araujo: Celtic sign Bournemouth right-back on loan for rest of season

Julian Araujo: Celtic sign Bournemouth right-back on loan for rest of season

Celtic have signed Bournemouth right-back Julian Araujo on loan for the rest of the season.The Mexican, 24, becomes Wilfried Nancy's first signing as Celtic manager and will likely compete with Alistair Johnston and Anthony Ralston for the berth on the right-hand side of Nancy's three-man defence.The most recent of Araujo's 14 Bournemouth appearances came in an EFL Cup loss to Brentford in August, with Araujo sent off late on after receiving a second booking.He previously turned out for…

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Poole choir supporting cancer patients seeks new members

Poole choir supporting cancer patients seeks new members

A Poole-based community choir that supports local families struggling financially because of cancer is looking for new members.The DCCF Choir was founded in 2024 to support the work of the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF). The choir performs at local events and raises money to give cancer patients grants for costs including household bills and transport to and from hospital.All money raised by the choir, which has 24 members aged 25 to 80, goes towards the work of…

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Can community groups help cut small boat crossings?

Can community groups help cut small boat crossings?

Katharine Da CostaSouth of EnglandSteve VinnicombeSteve and Helena Vinnicombe (right) have been hosting a Ukrainian family since the Russian invasion in 2022 The Ukrainian resettlement scheme saw thousands of people given new homes in the UK and has been praised as a success by both hosts and families fleeing the war-torn county.Now the government wants to launch a similar community sponsorship programme, so other refugees have a safe and legal means to enter the country.It is part of…

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Boy, 14, arrested after cars damaged in Sherborne

Boy, 14, arrested after cars damaged in Sherborne

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of damaging cars in Sherborne.Dorset Police received a report late on New Year's Eve that a teenager was acting aggressively and breaking into parked cars in Littlefield.It was further reported damage had been caused to some of the vehicles.The boy, from Sherborne, is in police custody. Det Insp Rhys Griffiths, of Dorset Police, said: "We know this incident may have caused some concern with residents in the area and there…

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