JP Morgan's major office expansion in Bournemouth has been given the green light, despite concerns over parking pressures and sustainable travel. The five-storey office and multi-storey car park development, approved by the planning committee on July 6, will accommodate 1,600 employees as part of the firm's long-term commitment to its Bournemouth operations.
Development Details and Parking Provision
The scheme includes a decked car park with 118 spaces and 614 cycle parking spaces. Laura Batstone, managing director and site lead at JP Morgan, acknowledged the concerns raised. 'We recognise the concerns raised around potential parking pressures on surrounding residential streets and we are committed to being a good neighbour and maintaining a good dialogue with residents,' she said. 'If concerns do arise in the future we would welcome the opportunity to hear them directly and work constructively with the local community and council to find solutions.'
Local Councillors' Views
Neighbouring ward councillor for Queen's Park and Charminster, Sharon Carr-Brown, welcomed the application but stressed the need for ongoing work. 'I welcome the granting of this application; JPMorganChase is a very valued employer locally. Work still needs to be done to ensure that the residents of my ward don't suffer more parking misery as a result of it, though,' she said. 'I argued that increased parking protections and enforcement should be a part of any agreement and this has gone some way to that but the key will be building an ongoing working relationship between the community, ward councillors and the bank.'
Fellow ward councillor Alasdair Keddie added: 'We welcome JP Morgan as an employer in the area, we simply ask that travel and parking mitigation is open, fair and adequately balances the needs of our residents against the economic benefits of the development.'
Travel Plan Improvements
JP Morgan has pledged to improve its existing travel strategy. Batstone stated: 'We are proud of our existing travel plan but recognise there is scope to do more. A strengthened travel plan will continue to reduce reliance on single occupancy car travel. This includes investment in cycling facilities, our existing shuttle bus network and public transport infrastructure and exploring a partnership with Beryl Bikes.'
Carr-Brown emphasized that any travel plan must involve residents well before the new building is in use. 'If parking changes are needed, that will take time and so work on that must start as soon as possible. I look forward to working with JPMorganChase to represent residents' views and establish a relationship so that any issues can be ironed out quickly.'
Committee Decision
The planning committee approved the application by five votes to one, with one abstention. The development is expected to support JP Morgan's long-term presence in Bournemouth, bringing hundreds of employees back to on-site working.
