BCP Council says it will “make an assessment” on the future of the derelict Poole college soon following a ‘deliberate’ fire at the site.

The local authority, when it was Poole Borough Council, purchased the land off Constitution Hill Road in 2015 from Bournemouth and Poole College.

It has since been earmarked for redevelopment as part of the FuturePlaces scheme and would see 88 new homes with a small community facility, commercial space and 106 car parking spaces built at the site.

However, as reported, a large fire ripped through the old science block at the college on Sunday, February 5, in an incident the fire service and police are treating as deliberate.

Old science block on fire at former college in Poole (Image: Chris Cesarz)

Residents in the area described the fire as “heartbreaking” but predictable, citing numerous incidents of reported anti-social behaviour and criminal damage at the site in recent years.

They also feel not enough deterrence measures, such as CCTV or police patrols, have been put in place.

A spokesperson for Bournemouth and Poole College said they “were saddened to see the news of the fire”, but added: “Since selling the property, we have had no connection or control of it, but are pleased that the swift action of the local community and the emergency services safeguarded the wellbeing of those located near to the building.”

The Echo approached BCP Council to comment on the incident and whether it felt security at the site was strong enough to deter such behaviour. A council spokesperson said: “We are awaiting the results of the investigation on the cause of the fire.

“We will make an assessment of the site once this has concluded.”