THE £90 million plans to redevelop secondary education in Bournemouth and Poole have already sparked controversy.

Under the Building Schools for the Future scheme, nine schools locally are to receive funding for rebuilding or refurbishment.

The plans, which will go out to public consultation next month, suggest amalgamating some schools, moving others and converting some into academies.

But when the plans were discussed in a Bournemouth Borough Council cabinet meeting on Wednesday, May 21, several councillors were concerned about the large schools proposed.

One suggestion put forward in the report is to build an academy incorporating Oakmead College of Technology and Kings High with a new three-form entry primary school.

Cllr Richard Smith said: "I am worried about the impact of the huge schools. We already have a significant number of school-phobics in Bournemouth.

"I urge caution on this idea of an all-through academy on the Oakmead site."

Jane Portman, executive director for children and families services, said the design of any school would be welcoming and take into account individual students' needs.

Opposition councillors also complained they were not consulted in the early stages of the scheme.

Cllr Roger West said: "Head teachers were informed a week before I was. Why was this? There are very serious implications for the area I represent."

He said he thought a wider public consultation should have taken place already for the public to have their say on the whole education system.

Cllr Smith said after the meeting: "The council does not have a good reputation on consultation. It has tended to ask people what they think about a decision the council has made.

"But here we have an opportunity if we do it correctly to re-establish trust in the council.

"It is too important to mess up."

He added that it was very important the results of the consultation were incorporated into the plans.

The council's cabinet agreed the report should be submitted to the government for approval.