PLANS to convert a park pavilion into a café and sports ‘hub’ look set to be given approval.

Elite Skills Arena has submitted proposals to replace Whitecliff Pavilion at Whitecliff Recreation Ground and build a two-storey, football-focussed indoor facility, a new café, and free access to public toilets.

The company, with Eddie Mitchell as director, also plans a 'multi-functional area' created for community groups and sports clubs with modernised changing facilities.

A separate application by the Borough of Poole would modernise the existing Pavilion and has already received outline planning permission, with a procurement exercise due to take place next year.

Case officer Eleanor Godesar prepared a report on the Elite Skills Arena plans in advance of the upcoming planning meeting.

She said the main issues to be considered were the impact on the setting and character of the site and residential amenities, and future flooding.

Concerns have been raised about the proposed facility being unsympathetic and out of keeping with the area and bringing increased noise and traffic, with no car parking provided for staff or users.

“Representations have raised concern about the commercial element of the football facility. However, cafés and other 'pay and play' leisure facilities are typically already present in Poole's principal parks and form an important component of their recreational role,” she said.

“The principle of replacing the existing building with a two-storey building with leisure and café uses is acceptable.”

Details of the proposals, including the layout of the changing rooms, toilets and café, materials, cycle parking, and flood mitigation measures, will be considered at a 'reserved matters' stage.

Whitecliff Park was described as a "ghost town" by anti-parking charge campaigners, who claimed the introduction of charges in its car park earlier this year had left the area underused.

The charges apply between March 1 and October 31 each year, from 8am to 3pm on weekdays and from 8am and 6pm on weekends.

  • This story has been corrected. An earlier version mistakenly said that Borough of Poole was responsible for the latest plans, rather than Elite Skills Arena. It also included an artist's impression of Borough of Poole's separate plans for the site.