THOUSANDS of pounds of taxpayers’ money has already been spent on opposing a bid to protect a Poole park – before a decision is even reached.

As feared, Poole council’s decision to fight the application to recognise Branksome Rec as a town green is proving costly.

Figures show that almost £20,000 has already been spent on legal advice and administration.

The council insists the money would have been incurred regardless of whether it chose to oppose the application or not.

But Cllr Phil Eades, who encouraged Branksome residents to make the application, said: “Not one resident of Branksome, or indeed anywhere else in Poole, objected to Branksome Rec being classified as a town green.

“The council has taken it upon itself to fight the wish of local people.

“The disgraceful thing about this is that they are using many thousands of pounds of residents’ own money to do it,” he added.

Were it granted town green status, Branksome Rec would be protected from certain development.

But the council argues other restrictions, such as improving facilities on the spaces, would also be encompassed, and that they might not prove to be so welcome.

Cllr Don Collier, the council’s portfolio holder for the environment, said the correct procedures were being followed.

He said: “We had to do our job properly and get legal advice.

“These costs would have been incurred whether or not we contested the application.”

The cost of the whole affair could escalate above £100,000 should the matter go as far as a public inquiry.

It will ultimately fall to the council’s licensing committee to decide if town green applications are granted or not.

The council has another town green application for Baiter and Whitecliff awaiting attention, but they are dealing with only one at a time.