GROUPS representing more than 10,000 Poole residents have voiced their strong opposition to the controversial Solar Pyramid.

The chairmen of seven south Poole residents' associations plus the Poole Campaign to Protect Rural England have sent a strongly worded letter to the chief executive and leader of Poole council.

A private company has approached the council with the idea of siting a major tourist attraction around 45-metres tall on Harbourside Park (Baiter) - creating a storm of protest.

The letter lists nine points why the Southern Poole Chairmen's Liaison Group believes the massive sundial should not be built at the waterside park.

They include loss of open space, around 400,000 visitors descending on inadequate car parking and roads, the recovered land was unsuitable for the weight and height, it would destroy the harbour view for many residents and the £40,000 evaluation was a waste of money.

The letter points out that the open space in front of the homes on Baiter was dedicated as replacement land for the Ladies Walking Field, lost to the town centre shopping development.

"We are most concerned that this 150ft-high mirror polished structure has been designed to glitter by day and glow luminescent by night," said the letter signed by group chairman Ken Pottle.

"The resultant reflection of sunlight from this massive structure by day, and light pollution by night, would constitute an unacceptable infringement to the quality of life enjoyed by residents in a large area of southern Poole."

Council leader Cllr Brian Leverett said: "This proposal from a private organisation is in the very early stages of discussion and no decisions have yet been made on its suitability for Poole or on a definitive location.

"The council has committed to undertake further assessment and evaluation work. If, following further investigations, a formal proposal is presented to the council, then it will go through the normal planning and consultation processes."