COUNCILLORS at the Borough of Poole had the chance to “red-flag” Eddie Mitchell’s latest scheme for Sandbanks Pavilion but failed to, a meeting was told.

Cllr Ian Potter, portfolio holder for planning and regeneration at the council, was responding to questions raised by Cllr Philip Eades about why the pavilion scheme had been approved under delegated powers.

As reported in the Echo last week, previous plans to transform Sandbanks Pavilion were turned down in April but a resubmitted scheme was given the go-ahead last month without any discussion with councillors.

It included plans to restore the 1920s building and create 16 new beach huts.

Some borough councillors have expressed their concerns that the new plans were not discussed by the planning committee first, including the committee chairman Cllr Peter Pawlowski.

Speaking to the Echo, he said: “There was no consultation with members about whether to approve the application under delegated powers - which should only be used for minor issues.

“I’m not happy about how this has been handled and will be asking questions about why such a controversial scheme, on council land, was approved without any discussion with councillors.”

However, at last night’s meeting the council was told the revised proposal had been circulated to all borough councillors on the council’s weekly list of planning applications.

Cllr Potter said: “Notice of the application was circulated to all members on May 23.

“However, officers received no correspondence from any members about the application and it wasn’t red carded.

“It is up to each individual member to scrutinise the planning applications and flag any ones they feel need to be discussed with the planning committee.”

He also explained that because of the significant changes to the application including the reduced number of beach huts it was considered of “minor nature” and there was no reason why it could not be allowed by officers.