OPPONENTS of Poole Town’s £1 million Branksome Rec scheme are furious after the council failed to write to residents to say the plans had been officially lodged.

Council policy dictates any property adjoining a proposed development be notified individually when an application goes in.

It means homes in Branksome’s Recreation Road, Playfields Drive and Wharfdale Road – all of which front the rec – should all have received letters.

In fact only four Branksome addresses did – those who had written to express concern over the plans beforehand.

Phil Eades, councillor for Branksome West, said residents feared the council was trying to push the divisive application through with minimum fuss.

He said: “Residents are already fearful this application is going to be biased in favour of the football club and this shocking flaw in formal consultation cannot help to allay their concerns.

“The council’s planning protocol is quite clear.

“I find it very strange that this was ignored on this most controversial of cases.”

Letters have now been sent out belatedly, with 10 planning notices placed around the rec and the formal application advertised in the press.

But David Rose, a Playfields Drive resident, said the planning notices were not always easy to read. He said: “Quite a lot of the residents are either pensioners or disabled and unable to climb lampposts to read notices placed above their eye line.”

Richard Genge, development control team manager, admitted the council only decided to follow its own policy after reviewing the case.

He said: “In line with requirements set out in government policy, the council initially displayed 10 site notices and published one press notice.

“On reviewing the case and following the council’s policy on consultation, it was decided that direct mailing to all residents adjoining the site was the most effective way of engaging the community.”

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