DEVELOPMENT ‘opportunities’ for Christchurch drawn up by BCP Council have angered town councillors who knew nothing about them.

The ideas were contained in a confidential memo sent to council leader Drew Mellor and his deputy Philip Broadhead seven months ago. They were submitted by Conservative administration colleague Cllr Nigel Brooks (pictured), but town councillors say they were not consulted.

Now mayor Cllr Sue Bungey has called an extraordinary town council meeting to discuss the matter.

Cllr Brooks’ ideas include a one way traffic system in the high street, demolishing and rebuilding the Saxon Square car park, a master plan for the Civic Offices including the surrounding derelict land, and a Canford Bottom-style set-up at Stony Lane roundabout.

At overview and scrutiny committee on Monday, Liberal Democrat Cllr Mike Cox, said: “It’s an appalling way to conduct important discussions about the future of the town, by two or three people from one political party. We had no idea this had been going on for months. They got 26 responses to their online and social consultation whereas the town council received 1200 when we did one of our own on the town’s future.

“The Tories certainly haven’t undertaken any actual meaningful engagement with Christchurch. It was a pathetic attempt to find out what the people of Christchurch think and what the town needs.

“My concern is this small group of Conservatives will use this to bulldoze through their ideas without any proper consultation.”

Cllr Brooks was elected as an independent in Highcliffe in 2019 and initially supported the Unity Alliance but joined the Conservative administration in October as ‘lead member’ for high streets. In his email Cllr Brooks also outlines plans to ‘release value’ from the Waitrose car park and build another level on it.

He cites Welwyn Garden City as a good example of how it can be done.

Cllr David Jones of Christchurch Town Council said Cllr Brooks had ‘no mandate’ to represent Christchurch.

Cllr Cox added: “I have got no problem with new ideas being discussed but this is an appalling way to go about it.”

In an email Cllr Brooks said he “didn’t do politics, but rather the very best for our town, district centres and communities".

“Let’s focus on the way forward for Christchurch, that’s what our residents deserve and expect of us," he said.

His ideas were opportunities, which was "not the same as proposals".

“Perhaps it was best I did not attend the O&S meeting as the strategy of ‘ambush’ is is not going to work,” he said.