Plans in for job-creating Talbot Innovation Quarter

Plans for the proposed Talbot Innovation Quarter – which has been designed to boost economic growth across Dorset and create 1,370 jobs – have officially been submitted.Talbot Village Trust and Nuffield Health are behind the application, which seeks approval to develop land south of Wallisdown Road.The submission comes following extensive public consultation, with “urgent healthcare” needs in the community continuing to rise.The Innovation Quarter is reflective of the approved Poole Local Plan and represents £48m per annum in earnings.Lined up is a new Nuffield Health Hospital, with half of the site – amounting to about 30 acres – lined up for a Heathland Support Area (HSA), which aims to protect the heath by providing an alternative space for informal recreation.Nick Ashley Cooper, chairman of Talbot Village Trust, said: “The Innovation Quarter is a once in a generation opportunity to create a positive transformational impact for BCP and the region.”The aim is to support the two Universities and provide improved prospects for young people and families to live, work and contribute to the BCP area. The proposals, developed in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, are aligned with BCP Council and Dorset LEP’s economic strategy.”Crucially, we are committed to do this whilst enabling people to live well, enhancing the environment, achieving biodiversity net gain, and ensuring that the Talbot Heath is fully protected for future generations.”Nuffield Health has been looking to find a suitable site in Bournemouth to build a leading and pioneering new hospital for eight years to replace its “existing and outdated facility”.Approval of the plans would increase capacity and bring new medical technology and services to the local Nuffield Health provision.David McNair, hospital director at Nuffield Health Bournemouth, added: “Our hospital plays a critical role in healthcare in Dorset. We continue to work more closely than ever with the local NHS trust as it recovers from the pandemic and increased capacity is a necessity to achieve that locally.”As well as supporting already stretched healthcare services, a new hospital will allow for existing and successful research programmes to be developed, resulting in more efficient and user-friendly procedures for patients across the globe.”I am proud of the work our team are achieving locally and would be delighted to see this grow within a new hospital.”