Connecting Christchurch
Published 16 December 2024. Last updated 14 April 2025.
The Project
The overall aim of the Connecting Christchurch project is to improve access to urban green spaces, with its key focus on improving the health and wellbeing of older and chronically ill people and their carers, in and around Christchurch.
BCP Council and Christchurch Town Council are working together on the Connecting Christchurch project, along with key stakeholders including the Friends of Druitt Gardens, Public Health Dorset and Health Sciences University.
The project demonstrates Christchurch Town Council’s and BCP Council’s recognition of green spaces being good for people’s health and wellbeing, supported by BCP Council’s vision and corporate strategy emphasising the importance of people, place and environment.
The project uses strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding that originated from the legacy Christchurch Borough Council and was retained by BCP Council for spending specifically in Christchurch.
April update
Three picnic tables have been installed along the Connecting Christchurch route – two at The Quomps near the splash park and one at Barrack Road Recreation Ground by the playground. They are fixed to paving slab bases so they can be accessed more easily by wheelchairs and pushchairs.
These picnic tables were funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and this grant came via BCP Council.
The large area at the corner of Whitehall and Wick Lane has been planted with a mixture of perennials for colour and scent, improving the biodiversity value and appearance of this important approach to The Quomps.
During late April-May, the existing seats along the Connecting Christchurch route are being refurbished. This includes the existing timber and cast-iron seating at The Quomps. Some of these will have areas of new paving installed alongside the seats to accommodate an adjacent wheelchair or pushchair.
The route
Utilising and improving existing paths, an accessible trail will be created linking the Quomps, with Druitt Gardens and into Barrack Road Recreation Ground, with connections to the High Street and to key heritage areas. Improved seating along this route will be provided, along with accessible signage, interpretation, entrance features and new planting to improve the biodiversity value and enhance the user experience.
As the project detail develops, the intension is to further engage with and involve the target population and local community groups in Christchurch, to ensure the scheme meets their needs.
Support for the project is evidenced by consultation responses to the Christchurch Neighbourhood Plan (2022-2023) and confirmed through Christchurch Town Council’s official processes.
Project details
Budget £131,000
Funding Community Infrastructure Levy, Strategic portion
Project Leader Tracey Scholefield, Landscape Architect, Environment, BCP Council
T. 01202 123123
E. greenspaces@bcpcouncil.gov.uk