BOURNEMOUTH council has apologised for naming a potential travellers' site - without even telling the local councillors.

They only found out about the plan for Milhams Tip in Longham from a press statement.

Cllr Claire Smith, of Kinson North, said: "We were told as ward councillors that we would be kept informed. This is just not on. It's not a question of whether I agree or not. They have not followed proper procedures.

"We might not be part of the cabinet but we are elected to present the people of this ward."

Fellow ward councillor Cllr Richard Smith said: "I am writing to the chief executive and the monitoring officer calling for this to be referred to the standards board."

The council has identified the site, which is near the banks of the River Stour in the north west of the borough, as its preferred option. The site is right up against the boundary with East Dorset District council at Longham.

Pam Donnellan said: "The consultation is in the very early stages it is nevertheless good practice to advise ward members about significant proposals within their wards.

"We're sorry that this doesn't appear to have happened on this occasion."

"The decision to consult on this particular site as the proposed location for a gypsy and traveller transit site is delegated to the portfolio holder, and that is clear in our constitution."

The cabinet portfolio member for housing, Cllr Peter Charon, claimed the ward councillors had been well informed of the general plans through council meetings.

But he would not comment the failure to tell the ward councillors a specific site had been identified.

He said: "I would ask those councillors what alternative site they would propose."

Cllr Claire Smith said the site near Milhams Tip was "totally unsuitable" because the area lacks the infrastructure.

She added: "The school has been working hard but it does not need an influx of children, whatever the ability.

"We also have pockets of deprivation and this would put extra pressure on the area.

"I know they were looking at White Farm in Redhill."

The government has told councils they have to identify permanent sites for gypsies and travellers.