The meeting will take place at the North Lounge of The Poole Harbour Commissioners Passenger Terminal, New Harbour Road South from 10.30 am and members of the public are invited to attend.

This special meeting of the Planning Committee has been scheduled due to a high level of public interest in this application. The chosen venue is the only one available that will accommodate the number of people anticipated to attend.

A number of other venues were considered but for a range of reasons were either unavailable or unsuitable. Alternative suggestions included Heatherlands School, Rossmore Community College, Poole College, Bournemouth University, Poole Grammar School, the RNLI and Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts.

Cllr Ann Stribley, Chairman of the Planning Committee, Borough of Poole, said: "We accept the timing of the meeting may not be suitable for everyone. However, because of the ferry schedules, this was the only time available for what is expected to be a complex meeting with extended periods of representation. A daytime meeting has the advantage that members and officers are not making decisions at a late hour when their energy levels may be low.

"Due to the complexity of the case and the level of public interest, it is vital that the meeting is held at a venue that can accommodate the number of people it is envisaged may wish to attend. The council had no objection in principle to changing the time or venue of this crucial meeting, however, due to lack of availability of suitable venues this has not been possible."

A formal agenda will be issued when arrangements have been finalised.

A proposal to relocate Poole Town FC from its current home at Tatnam Park to Branksome Rec was considered at a meeting of the council on Tuesday 9 June 2009.

Following a debate of the issues, councillors voted to approve the proposal.

Poole Town FC’s proposal includes:

• Refurbishment and modernisation of the Branksome Rec pavilion, including men’s and women’s changing facilities
• Improved social function facilities, including lift access to the first floor
• A new home for the football club with a seated stand for 150 people.
• One enclosed football pitch and three new all-weather, multi-use games areas available for use by local schools and the community
• Refurbished public amenities

The football club and external grant funding would fund the proposal, with the council also prepared to consider an application for developer contribution funding for elements with a community benefit, such as the multi-use games areas.

Cllr Peter Adams, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Borough of Poole, said: “Poole Town’s proposal has provoked a great detail of public interest and discussion and it was important that councillors were able to conduct a proper debate of the issues.

“The football club already does an excellent job running several football teams for many young people in our community. I firmly believe this proposal not only gives the club a chance to develop this work further, but offers an excellent opportunity to gain other community benefits and much-needed improvements to facilities at Branksome Rec at no additional cost to the council taxpayer.”

Poole Town FC’s proposal will be subject to planning permission and agreement with the council on a detailed lease.

The council’s agreement to a lease for the space and the enclosure of a pitch would also be subject to several conditions to ensure a significant and enhanced community benefit for all the people of Poole. Any lease would be tightly controlled in the terms and conditions of a legal agreement.