Poole council’s attempt to blackmail residents over town green applications has dramatically backfired.

All the council has done is present residents with the perfect defence in their fight to protect their recreation grounds, parks and open spaces from development.

The council advises that any application for town green status puts an immediate stop to all developments.

All that is necessary is for residents to prepare a town green application for any open space they consider to be at risk, and advise the council you have done so.

This will act as a deterrent and a great defence.

Then at the first suggestion or rumour of any undesirable development to that open space they submit the application, which will put an immediate stop to any development.

When Poole council assessed the potential of relocation sites for Poole Town Football Club they considered 18 recreation grounds, parks and open spaces before selecting Branksome Rec.

The other 17 sites were rejected because of unsuitable access, topography etc, none was rejected because of ‘park status’.

These sites must therefore still be at risk from future development.

A town green application, held on file, would protect those sites for ever.

Roy Godfrey, Edwina Drive, Poole