An independent Poole councillor has called for a special meeting over the “debacle” of Branksome Rec.

Cllr Carole Deas said that having read the planning officers’ report recommending refusal for the football club’s stadium plans, she did not understand why the plug had not been pulled on the scheme earlier.

After the planning committee meeting on December 2, where councillors could still overturn their officers’ advice and approve the scheme, she says they should scrutinise the whole application.

Cllr Deas said many of the matters raised – such as loss of public open space and failure to provide an alternative – had already been brought out at an environment overview and scrutiny committee.

The fact it was contrary to the local plan and core strategy was well known to councillors and she questioned why the administration had carried on with costly meetings.

She accused the council of “antagonising members of the public and causing great distress to so many, leading them to believe that their public open space was at great risk to satisfy the demands of a private company”.

A council spokesman said: “Members discussed Poole Town’s proposal for part of Branksome Rec at a meeting of the full council.

“Officers will review whether any further action is required once the football club’s application has been considered by members of the planning committee at a meeting on December 2.”

Comments posted on the Daily Echo website are divided between supporting the football club, attacking the council and the need to uphold public open space.

“I don’t see the issue with Poole Town going there,” said one online reader, who pointed out they would not be playing every week and night games were few. “If they improve the facilities for others, what’s the problem?”

Another said: “Poole council has set out policies surrounding open space and to go against these now would set a bad precedent.”