Campaigners criticise rec meeting

Poole Town Football Club is currently based at Tatnam Park.

Residents campaigning to stop a Dorset recreation ground from being turned into a football stadium have criticised the timing of a planning meeting.

The Borough of Poole council has said it will consider the application for Poole Town Football Club at 1030 GMT on Wednesday, 2 December.

Residents say too few people will be able to attend the meeting at Poole Harbour Commissioners Building.

The club wants to build a new stadium at Branksome recreation ground.

Councillor Ann Stribley, chairman of the planning committee, said: "We accept the timing of the meeting may not be suitable for everyone.

"However, because of the ferry schedules, this was the only time available for what is expected to be a complex meeting with extended periods of representation.

"A daytime meeting has the advantage that members and officers are not making decisions at a late hour when their energy levels may be low."

Denied promotion

Campaigners discussing the meeting on the Save Branksome Rec Action Group website said most people would be at work when the meeting takes place.

The stadium plan includes a new 150-seat stand and social facilities, which would cover 20% of the site.

There would also be an enclosed football pitch and three new all-weather, multi-use games areas available for use by local schools and the community.

An online petition against the plans collected more than 500 signatures.

Last season Poole Town won the Wessex League Premier Division, but were denied promotion to the Southern League because their current facilities at Tatnam Park, School Lane, do not meet Football Association regulations.

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