Bournemouth has been shortlisted for a prestigious local government award for its Boscombe Spa Village Regeneration project.

The Local Government Chronicle Awards are one of the top events on the local government circuit and making it into the final six is a significant achievement in itself for the council. Due to be announced next spring, the awards scheme has reached the short-listing stage, with Bournemouth Borough Council in the frame to win the award for best regeneration project.

Councillor Stephen MacLoughlin, Leader of Bournemouth Borough Council; “I am delighted Bournemouth has been shortlisted for the Boscombe Spa Village Regeneration. This is an outstanding regeneration scheme which has turned an under-utilised site into a modern multi-purposed leisure amenity located on one of Britain’s best beaches.

“As well as the vision and dedication of Members and Officer, I am particularly thrilled the council has worked together with local private businesses to invest in this redevelopment project and we can share the credit for the success with them.”

The LGC Awards judges will look for councils that have showed vision, imagination and enthusiasm, as well as projects that have unlocked potential for the area and brought partners together.

The completed Boscombe Spa Village scheme has generated 55 new jobs, a further £850,000 private sector investment within the development, an estimated gross added value to the local economy of £41.5million, including new housing developments and surf lifestyle related businesses. Previously declining visitor numbers have been reversed with a 32% increase during summer 2009 in comparison with previous year.

On 29 January 2010 representatives from the council and local trade will give presentations to a panel of judges as they bid to become the winning entry in the category for Regeneration. The winners of this, and the other categories, will be announced at a gala dinner in London on 24 March.