BOURNEMOUTH’S council leader has promised to look again at the options for the hugely popular Hengisbury Head outdoor centre following a public outcry.

Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin offered a chink of light to campaigners fighting to save the centre by saying they would review all options for the site.

But he said the “operational decision” to stop the watersports provision from May 1 still stood and warned: “People should prepare themselves for the fact that the centre may well close if we can’t find someone who is prepared to come in and help with its operation.”

He stepped in as the campaign to save the centre gained significant momentum, with a senior cabinet member questioning the validity of the decision to stop services.

Cllr Peter Charon said last week’s decision was “unconstitutional,” because it was made behind the scenes by officers and education chief Cllr Malcolm Davies instead of going through cabinet.

He apologised to residents who had contacted him and also apologised to Southbourne councillors Basil Ratcliffe and Eddie Coope who, he said, should have been informed of the decision.

Another Conservative councillor Mark Anderson said he felt Cllr Davies had been “misled” into agreeing to an “undemocratic decision”.

With the council’s processes being so publicly criticised, Cllr MacLoughlin moved to clarify the situation.

He said a special meeting of the children’s and families’ services scrutiny panel would look into the way the decision was made and whether there were any breaches of the council’s constitution.

Their recommendations will go before cabinet on March 25, when members will also discuss the options for the centre.

They will not be able to reverse the decision to stop the watersports provision but will look to see whether there are any elements of the centre’s work that can be continued.

“As a council we are going to continue to look at the options for the long-term future of the site,” he said. “However the reality is that it’s not viable, there’s major subsidy going into the centre and the buildings need investment that the council does not have.”