Campaigners WILL be allowed to speak against Wessex Fields plans at today's meeting

The presentation will not be a formal application, but an opportunity for members of the borough planning board to comment on the scheme prior to its submission.

The scheme has attracted some opposition from residents concerned about the loss of green space, added traffic and the demolition of a formerly listed cob barn.

Planning board chairman David Kelsey said, in a break with tradition, he had allowed members of the public to make a deputation at the pre-application hearing.

"Part of the road will go through land people don't want it to go through, and it may involve the demolition of a building that was listed at some stage, although it is pretty derelict now," he said.

"I think we will get quite a few objectors coming in to listen to the presentation.

"I know two asked if they could speak at the meeting, on this occasion I said yes. We wouldn't normally have deputations for a pre-app but I think it is right in this case as there is so much public concern."

The Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership proposal would see a new link road built from the A338 to the hospital, with a new junction created at Holdenhurst village.

Part of the Bournemouth International Growth Programme, the scheme is intended to improve access to the Wessex Fields site, which lies between the hospital and the Playgolf Iford golf course.

The remainder of the site is earmarked for development as housing and also for business.

Asked whether the presentation would include details of this development or just focus on road building, Cllr Kelsey said it appeared to contain "a bit of everything from what I can tell".

There was a row earlier this month after campaigners claimed they had been excluded from a meeting discussing the plans.

Several residents held the demonstration outside the meeting at the Village Hotel in Deansleigh Road, which Bournemouth council said was a private meeting with "invited businesses and large employers".