What’s Changing in Christchurch? The Projects Shaping the Town’s Future

Christchurch might be best known for its historic streets, harbour and coastline, but change is taking place across the town.

From major investment in leisure facilities and hundreds of new homes to the relocation of an established local business and long term plans to protect the coastline, several projects could shape how Christchurch develops over the years ahead. Some are already progressing. Others remain subject to planning or form part of much longer term strategies.

One of the most significant investments proposed for Christchurch’s community facilities is taking shape at Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre.

BCP Council has backed plans for a £1.8 million two storey extension, creating two new purpose built multi use studios at the popular leisure centre. The aim is to increase the centre’s health and fitness capacity, provide more space for classes and create purpose built facilities capable of supporting everything from everyday exercise to rehabilitation and early intervention programmes. If the project progresses as planned, completion has been targeted for July 2027.

For Christchurch, the plans represent more than an extension to an existing building. They signal continued investment in the health, fitness and wellbeing facilities available to the wider community.

Aster Group is developing land around the former magistrates’ court and police station at Bargates, with plans for 130 new homes across a mixture of housing types and tenures.

The wider development also includes 39 sheltered accommodation units, flexible commercial and community space, new public open space and a new pedestrian and cycle connection between Bargates and Barrack Road.

It means the project is about more than simply adding housing.Its location could bring more residents within walking distance of Christchurch High Street while introducing new community and commercial space and improving connections through this part of town.

For local businesses, an increased population close to the centre also has the potential to generate additional footfall. This is particulalry true for BUCO Pizzeria, an independent family run restaurant that has recently opened in the area and become a popular destination amongst locals.

Significant change could also be coming to Fairmile Road. Plans have been approved in principle for up to 167 homes on REIDsteel's existing site as the long established Christchurch engineering business prepares to relocate its operations to a new purpose built facility near Bournemouth Airport.

The move creates an interesting double story for the area.On one side is an established local employer investing in new facilities for its future. On the other is the opportunity to transform a substantial brownfield industrial site into a new residential neighbourhood.

The residential scheme isn't yet something that should be viewed as completed or fully under construction, but its approval represents another potentially significant addition to Christchurch's housing landscape.

Some of the biggest projects affecting Christchurch won't necessarily involve new buildings at all.

In December 2025, BCP Council and New Forest District Council formally adopted the Christchurch Bay and Harbour Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy.The strategy looks ahead an extraordinary 100 years, from 2025 to 2125, covering the coastline from Hengistbury Head to Hurst Spit and encompassing Christchurch Harbour.

The project establishes how coastal flooding and erosion could be managed across 18 locations over the decades ahead. The scale of the challenge is significant. BCP Council says ageing coastal defences and changing conditions could leave more than 3,500 properties at risk from coastal flooding or erosion if appropriate action isn't taken.

For an area whose identity and economy are so closely connected to Christchurch Harbour, Mudeford and the surrounding coastline, protecting those environments is ultimately just as important as building something new.

Large developments naturally attract attention, but smaller infrastructure changes can have an equally noticeable impact on everyday life.

Earlier this year, BCP Council consulted on proposals for Purewell, a key route used by thousands of bus journeys.

The plans considered altering some lower use daytime parking areas to create additional passing places while retaining parking around the busiest sections close to local shops. The aim is to improve traffic flow and bus reliability while balancing the needs of businesses and residents.

Taken together, these projects reveal a town experiencing change on several fronts.

New homes are bringing people closer to the centre. Two Riversmeet could gain significant new health and fitness facilities. An established Christchurch employer is investing in its future. Local infrastructure is evolving, while a newly adopted strategy is looking as far ahead as the next century to protect the coastline.

Together, these developments show a Christchurch that is growing, investing and preparing for the future, while protecting the heritage, community and coastline that make the town such a distinctive place to live and visit.

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Last updated: August 2026