POOLE councillors and residents association are calling on the Crown Estate to meet them over proposals for a quayside marina that could include concreting over part of the harbour.

MDL’s proposal includes a bridge and road out to a new marina beyond Poole Quay Boat Haven, and has emerged as the Crown Estate’s preferred bidder, over Poole Harbour Commissioners proposal.

Borough of Poole’s council leader Cllr Elaine Atkinson has written to Sir Stuart Hampson, chairman and First Commissioner of the Crown Estate, which owns the seabed.

“I believe the council is entitled to be consulted on your proposals,” she said in her letter. “It is clear that the Poole Harbour Commissioners have done a great deal to engage with the public and stakeholders about their proposal. However, the Crown Estates have not done anything of this nature.

“Consequently I am asking you to provide the council with information about your proposals and the procedure to be used in making decisions that are likely to affect this vital and much treasured part of Poole.”

Cllr Mike White, deputy leader of the council said: “Poole Quay is hugely important to Poole, not only because it is the heart of the town but also because it is a major tourist destination.”

Cllr Mark Howell has called for an emergency meeting of full council to discuss the matter, however a scrutiny meeting is likely to be held before the January 14 deadline for Crown Estates to confirm its decision. A numbers of residents associations have also written letters, following PHC’s stakeholders meeting where the situation was outlined by chief executive Jim Stewart.

Bill Constance, chairman of Poole Quays Forum wrote: “No details have been made public and there has been no public consultation. We are very concerned.”

Terry Stewart of the Vision for Poole Group said: “We are asking the Crown Estate for a meeting to clarify the criteria for their decision, and why there is so much haste.”