Green status bid set to delay Branksome Rec scheme (From Bournemouth Echo)

Green status bid set to delay Branksome Rec scheme

7:00pm Monday 20th July 2009 in Search By James Morton

DELAYS to finalising the future of Branksome Rec seem inevitable after it was confirmed a new lease cannot be signed until at least September.

In a bid to protect the rec, opponents of Poole Town’s £1 million redevelopment scheme applied under 19th century legislation to grant the space town green status.

It would mean greater protection for the rec, but Poole council will not consider the application until September.

Until the town green issue is resolved, a lease can’t be signed with the football club and the long-running saga looks set to rumble on.

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Clive Smith, head of leisure services at Poole council, said: “The council does not currently have a planning application from Poole Town.

“However, any application submitted by the club for the development of Branksome Rec would be dealt with in accordance with normal planning procedures and could be heard before a town green application is resolved.

“If planning permission was granted, however, the council would not sign a lease with the club until the issue of the town green application is concluded.”

After securing crucial council backing in June, Poole Town are due to submit their formal planning application for the redevelopment imminently.

It is unlikely this would be heard before September anyway, but should the town green bid succeed it would severely jeopardise the club’s dreams of a new home.

The Dolphins hope to build a new stadium, incorporating a 150-seater stand, on part of the rec, a move crucial to their hopes of promotion up the non-league football ladder.

They also intend to upgrade the rec’s current rundown pavilion and sub-standard pitches, while building three multi-use games areas.