BOURNEMOUTH council has insisted it will be impartial when considering its own application for a new junction on the A338.

The borough, alongside Dorset County Council and the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership, plans to eventually create a new road bridge at Holdenhurst and a link to Castle Lane East by the hospital, passing through the Wessex Fields development site.

A planning application is being considered by the council's planning department.

At a full council meeting on Tuesday, campaigner against the plans Conor O'Luby quizzed members about a postcard extolling the virtues of the scheme which had been circulated.

"A generic slip was produced allowing people to tick boxes supporting the A338 Wessex Fields link scheme," he said.

"The slip gives no provenance. Could the council please explain whether they produced the slip, who gave the direction to do so, and where and how they were distributed? Also whether they were accompanied by a similar slip allowing people to object to the proposals?"

In response councillor Anne Filer, cabinet member for corporate efficiency, said the council's A338 project team had produced the slip in its capacity as applicant, seeking to promote the scheme, but stressed that this was independent of the borough planning department.

"It's important to emphasise that the council has ensured a clear separation between the project team who are the promoters of the scheme and council staff from the local planning authority who are involved in the determination of the application in relation to the planning legislation," she said.

"I know that is a really difficult distinction and it is difficult for most councillors, but there is a clear distinction and they are very anxious that that should be made.

"The postcards were distributed on behalf of the project team at various businesses around Wessex Field as part of a series of events to raise awareness of the scheme amongst those organisations directly impacted, with the aim of seeking support in the same way as any other applicant would do to promote their development."

She said residents were informed at public information meetings of ways to comment on the scheme, via the council's website.

"The postcards were not distributed in any other ways, such as to local households," she said.

"The council logo was not included to avoid creating the impression that this had come from the planning authority.

"However, if materials like this were to be produced again, we would look to include a sentence which clearly states that this was produced by the applicant – in this case Bournemouth council's project team."

Campaigners have submitted a list of objections to the plans, including increased air and noise pollution, the loss of green belt and a listed barn.

However, Bournemouth council says the proposals will transform the infrastructure in and around Wessex Fields, creating around 2,000 jobs and "safeguarding" 10,000 jobs.