A CONSERVATIVE councillor has slammed the party in East Dorset for being “completely out of touch”.

Cllr Steve Lugg, a district councillor for Ferndown Central ward and a Ferndown town councillor, made the comments in a letter to the leader of the district council Spencer Flower.

The councillor, who has already resigned from his post as vice chairman of the town’s branch of the Conservative party, said he will leave the party altogether if the core strategy is given the green light at the full council meeting in February.

The strategy, which covers Christchurch and East Dorset, will set out development until 2028.

“The core strategy is not beneficial to Ferndown, and has not followed localism in its construction, so I will be voting against it going to examination in February,” he said.

“I believe I was elected to represent my residents in central Ferndown, and that is what I intend to do.”

The councillor said he should not be censured for speaking against a “party line” when it is not in the interests of Ferndown residents.

“For too long Ferndown has been treated poorly, despite having the biggest electorate in the district,” he said.

“I believe residents support what I am saying, and will continue to vote for me, having as I do, their best interests and not my own at heart.

“I look forward to the district elections in 2015, where residents can make their opinions known, on whatever candidates decide to stand.

“I will continue to work hard for Ferndown residents, both at district, at town council, and in the community organisations of which I am part, and represent views honestly and robustly, without fear of suppression of those views.”

However, Cllr Flower said it is not the first time Cllr Lugg has announced his intention to resign.

He said: “It does not come as a surprise that Cllr Lugg has announced his intention to resign for yet another reason when the majority of opinion does not support his views.

“He found working as a member of the team within the majority group a real challenge, which is a shame and a disappointment to many of his fellow group members, who would have welcomed his constructive participation in setting council policy.

“For example, Ferndown would be best served by local councillors in developing a Neighbourhood Plan to support the policies set out in the core strategy.”

He assured East Dorset residents that the council is committed to “delivering quality services”.

“Many consider that the strength of the group has enabled members to achieve considerably more for our residents in East Dorset than could ever be the case as individual members,” he said.