BOURNEMOUTH council has been accused of hiding a letter from its planning department expressing serious concerns about the Wessex Fields scheme.

The borough, alongside Dorset County Council, has a planning application in place to build a new junction on the A338 Spur Road at Holdenhurst, linking up with Castle Lane East by the hospital.

The borough says the plan is necessary to reduce congestion and provide access to Wessex Fields, where business investment worth some 2,000 jobs is anticipated.

A letter of March this year has come to light, in the appendices of the latest arboricultural impact assessment submitted for the scheme, written by a senior planning officer and listing a wide range of reasons why the scheme could not then be approved.

Conor O'Luby, from campaign group Friends of Riverside which is opposed to the plan, said: "This letter was uploaded to the council's online planning register on May 25 and effectively 'hidden' in the appendices (Appendix E) of the revised arboricultural statement (revised impact assessment), thus only now coming to light.

"No meaningful modifications have been made to the planning application since this letter was written and, given the renewed objections of statutory consultees the Environment Agency, Historic England and also the Dorset Wildlife Trust, it is now inconceivable that the planning board will be asked to grant it."

The letter, from officer Sophie Edwards to Wessex Fields project manager Claire Clark, raises numerous concerns.

It states: "It is extremely disappointing that provision for walking and cycling is very limited in the proposals."

It says the council has failed to produce information on speed limits, means of preventing the new road being used as a through route, and landscaping to reduce the visual impact from the scheme's "very utilitarian and functional appearance".

The letter also notes the impact on heritage and environmental artifacts, noting the threat to several "ancient" and "veteran" trees.

It says that "viable alternatives have not been fully explored", noting that a different position for the proposal flyover bridge, or an alternative such as a slip road link to Blackwater junction, would preserve trees and the Grade II listed Cob Barn, thought to be the borough's oldest building.

"The only justification given for not using this option is a slight increase in the take up of land on the Wessex Fields site. Surely this is the right way forward to mitigate some of the harm.

"The justification for dismissing this option is not convincing when there is no masterplan drafted to show how the 2,000 jobs would or wouldn't fit into the available space."

Ms Edwards concludes: "Because of the above issues I am not able to support the application in its present form."

Gary Powell, the council's head of traffic, engineering and major projects, said the letter had not been hidden and was not originally published as it was not "part of the public consultation".

He said "significant progress" has been made towards resolving the issues raised in the March letter.

"For example, we are pleased to report that the holding objection from Wessex Water has now been removed, and there is agreement in principle from Natural England, subject to planning conditions and funding arrangements," he said.

"We are working closely with the Environment Agency to satisfy their outstanding concerns and hope to resolve this very soon.

“If approved, the plans will play a key part in unlocking the available employment land at Wessex Fields, whilst making the most of the natural environment around it. A nature reserve is being proposed adjacent to the development site which will enable improved public access to the greenbelt."

He said "all veteran trees will be retained" and that "substantial work has been undertaken" to ensure they were not at risk.

“A key element of the scheme is to provide enhanced facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and bus users leading to more sustainable journeys in the area," he said.

"The plans include new walking and cycling routes connecting this area to the Stour Valley Way, as well as new pedestrian/ cycle links between Deansleigh Road and Riverside Avenue."

He said the council is still discussing the Cob Barn with Historic England. The borough cabinet has previously said it needs no special permission to demolish the barn as part of a major project.

Mr Powell concluded: “Negotiations are progressing between the applicant and the local planning authority and the outstanding matters will be dealt with as part of the planning process.

"Further information relating to the outstanding issues will be submitted early next month for further consultation."