CRUNCH time beckons in the Battle for Branksome Rec, with Poole Town finally submitting their formal application for the controversial £1m scheme.

The football club has applied to build a new home ground, including a 160-seater stand, as well as renovate the current pavilion and construct three multi-use games areas.

It represents a major landmark in the saga, which has split the Branksome community since the plans were first announced 18 months ago.

The proposals are set to go before Poole council’s planning board in November, the authority already having voted to back the scheme at a meeting in June.

A council spokesperson said should the £1m scheme be given the go-ahead, it would be subject to Secretary of State approval as it departs from the authority’s development plan.

The club’s planning application seeks to address many of the Branksome residents’ concerns over the development.

Among these are travel and parking issues, with the plans detailing special buses to be laid on for match days and use of the park and ride site used by LV staff on weekdays.

If Poole Town’s plans are approved, they could still be scuppered, or at least delayed, by a bid to recognise the rec as a town green.

The application to grant the rec town green status was made by the Branksome Rec Action Group, which is trying to block Poole Town’s scheme.

The council’s licensing committee will rule on the town green issue, which would afford the rec certain protection but may not halt the football scheme altogether.

Cllr Peter Adams, cabinet portfolio holder for leisure, said the council wanted both applications heard and the decision made as soon as possible.