Members of the committee voted unanimously to refuse the football club’s application at a special meeting held at the Port of Poole ferry terminal.

Poole Town FC was seeking permission to use part of Branksome Recreation Ground to develop a football ground with a 160-seat stand and covered areas. The club’s application also included plans for the construction of multi-use games areas, floodlighting, the erection of a two-metre perimeter wall and refurbishment of the existing pavilion building.

A planning officer’s report to the committee had recommended refusal of the football club’s application.

Cllr Peter Adams, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Borough of Poole, said: "As the landowner, the council was approached by Poole Town Football Club with a proposal for Branksome Recreation Ground.

"While the council broadly accepted the principle of the proposal, its support was subject to the football club being able to achieve a number of conditions, including planning permission.

"The application was unable to meet the criteria required to satisfy local planning policies or members of the Planning Committee."

The proposal was originally scheduled to be discussed on 6 April. However, the meeting was postponed to allow the club, resident groups and the council more time to gather relevant information.

Cllr John Rampton, Chair of Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Borough of Poole, said: “We chose to postpone the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee until May 5 to allow officers adequate time to produce a full report.

The council is determined that views from all sides are carefully considered in full and we have held several recent meetings with groups for and against the proposal to ensure this. We have now received the relevant information from all parties and this being collated in a fair and formal way.

The committee will now have the difficult task of studying detailed reports, minutes, statements and evidence before making their recommendations to Cabinet.”

EOSC will take place on Tuesday 5 May at 7pm in the Committee Suite, Civic Centre, Poole.
Members of the public are welcome to attend to observe the proceedings.