PLANS to use temporary buildings on Poole parkland to house a day centre for disabled adults have been given the go-ahead by planners.

Adult social care at Borough of Poole applied to extend the use of temporary buildings at Whitecliffe Park for another two and-a-half years to house the Fourways Day centre while the current centre on Constitution Hill Road is redeveloped.

The moved provoked outrage from neighbours and park users who turned out in force to the planning meeting.

But despite their protests that the units were unsightly and the land should be protected, councillors granted the permission. The decision meant overturning the existing planning condition that required the site be returned to parkland within a month of current user, the Lilliput Surgery, moving out.

Murray Evans of Wedgwood Drive, spoke against the application at Thursday's meeting.

He said: "We're very disappointed. There is a strong feeling the council has broken its promise from the original planning approval for the surgery. People just feel totally misled."

The handling of the application has also come under fire from Liberal Democrat Cllr Brian Clements, who noted a number of standard letters were signed and sent in from centre users.

Cllr Clements said: "There was quite a handful of standard letters from Fourways users saying they will lose the service if planning permission isn't granted. I think that's taking advantage of vulnerable people to push the case of the portable cabins. We were told of a number of alternatives - basically this site is the cheapest option."

Geoff Colvin, principal officer for adult social care and well-being, Borough of Poole, said the use of the temporary buildings at Whitecliff represented the best value for money' out of all the options and would ensure the day care centre was kept open.

He added: "Several people who currently use the Fourways Centre had indicated to staff that they wished to express their support for the planning application and two individuals who regularly use the facility made representations to the planning committee.

"As some users of the Fourways Centre have difficulty with writing, they were offered a standard letter to sign if they so wished."