A DECISION on the future of Shelley Manor was finally reached on October 21 after years of bitter wrangling.

Bournemouth Borough Council's cabinet decided to proceed with proposals from Charles Higgins Primary Care Ltd as the preferred bidder for the redevelopment of Shelley Manor.

The accepted plans mean the provision of a medical centre serving 10,500 patients and a 'performance cafe' in the old Shelley theatre.

Other elements of the successful proposal were the development of affordable meeting places for community groups and provision of buildings to complement adjacent public sporting facilities.

The scheme also includes 14 flats over the doctors' surgery.

The winning proposals were backed by the Friends of Shelley Manor, which has long campaigned for the 200-year-old manor to be retained for the community.

Friends chairman Pat Clark told the meeting: "The Friends of Shelley Manor are supportive of the plan for a medical centre.

"This would be of immense value to hundreds of local people for many years. We have been informed that a benefactor has offered a considerable sum of money towards the restoration of Shelley Museum.

"Together with the retention of the Georgian building and theatre, a historic treasure to Boscombe, we feel this offers the potential to start the successful and practical regeneration of our needy area."

The cabinet rejected proposals from Bournemouth company Bayview Developments which included restoring Shelley Theatre to its former glory and inviting the Friends of Shelley Manor to form a management company to run the building.

Cranbrook Homes (Southern) Ltd's proposals, which were also rejected, included development of flats and refurbishment of the theatre.

First published: October 22