A COUNCILLOR leading the fight to scrap the Solar Pyramid plans is calling for the resignation of the leader of Poole council.

Cllr Phil Eades wrote to leader Cllr Brian Leverett asking him to reconsider his position following a "catalogue of mismanagement and smokescreens" over the controversial scheme.

The call followed a stormy town hall meeting on Thursday night where Cllr Leverett came under heavy questioning from a scrutiny committee.

Cllr Eades had "called in" the Conservative cabinet's decision to approve a £40,000 feasibility study on the pyramid.

In his email to Cllr Leverett, Cllr Eades accused the council leader of misleading the public and the call-in committee over the plans and siting of the pyramid.

"You seem unable to accept that the people of Poole do not want this building on Baiter or anywhere else in Poole," said Cllr Eades.

In response, Cllr Leverett defiantly insisted he had no intention of stepping down and said cabinet discussions had centred only on a potential new attraction.

He said: "At no stage did cabinet agree to it being sited at a specific location.

"We asked especially for studies not just to focus on one scheme.

"I have certainly not misled the committee or public at any time."

Cllr Eades also claimed some Conservative councillors had not even heard of the proposal until after cabinet had made its decision to press ahead with the feasibility study.

But Cllr Leverett retorted that agenda papers for the cabinet meeting had been available and would have meant any councillor could have attended the meeting.

He also said the plans were available in full to all members the day after the meeting.

Objector Colin Lambert added his voice to the rising tide of resentment over the plans.

In a message to the Solar Pyramid team, he said: "Can you not see the damage you are causing to our community?

"Poole does not welcome the invasion of our beautiful town."

With the decision now having been sent back to cabinet by the call-in committee, the issue will next come before cabinet on January 29.

Cabinet have said they will give full consideration to the recommendations of the committee.