Protesting Poole residents turned out in force to make their feelings known about a football stadium on their open space before today’s crucial meeting.

Around 70 banner-waving demonstrators congregated at Branksome Rec in a silent protest in front of members of Borough of Poole’s planning committee to leave them in no doubt as to the strength of local feeling.

Today the nine members of the planning committee will hear the case for and against Poole Town FC’s proposals for a £1m home at the rec and consider their officer’s 25-page report which recommends refusing permission.

But yesterday as councillors toured the club’s present ground at the Tatnam and the application site, dozens of residents turned out in a peaceful protest.

“We wanted to show the strength of feeling there is locally and really to push for a refusal in line with our professional officer’s recommendation,” said Cllr Phil Eades, who represents Branksome West and supports residents in their opposition.

“We employ professionals and really councillors shouldn’t go against what they say on something so controversial and against the local plan,” he said.

Loss of public open space and failure to provide an alternative, harm to the character of the rec, failure to provide an essential community use and failure to prove that no harm would be caused to nearby heathland were the main issues cited in the report.

Resident Ruth McCullough of Rossmore Road has written to all members of the planning committee about what she says has become a “political football”.

“I really would beg you to put politics aside, to look at the issues clearly and to make a balanced judgement on what is best for the voters of Poole, particularly the voters of Branksome West who will have to live with the results of your decision,” she said.

Poole Town Football Club chairman Clive Robbins said they do not agree with the officer’s report and will be making their case to the planning committee.

“His views are not shared by the club or many other people,” he said.

The special meeting of the planning committee is taking place today at the ferry terminal lounge at Poole Port, starting at 10.30am.