COUNCILLORS faced with a decision over the future of Branksome Rec are being recommended to push ahead with Poole Town’s proposals.

Tuesday’s environment overview and scrutiny committee will referee the controversy between the £1m new stadium plan and residents’ opposition.

In what is expected to be a heated meeting, Branksome Recreation Action Group and the Friends will make their own proposals while the club and supporters will make the case for a new home for the Dolphins and community sport.

“Officers are recommending to proceed with the proposals subject to planning permission, detailed business and financial due diligence,” said Poole council’s head of leisure services, Clive Smith.

He said if the eight member committee’s recommendation to the council’s cabinet were to go ahead, they would then work up the details of the lease and agreement between the club and council for community use of the multi-use games areas and public amenities.

“All the details have to be worked out,” he said. “That hasn’t been done yet. If |feasibility is established we start working on the detail.”

Cllr Peter Adams, cabinet portfolio holder for leisure, acknowledged it was not an easy decision to make and had aroused strong passions on both sides.

The Daily Echo website alone generated 68 comments between January 26 and February 24 on a story following a fiery public meeting at Lighthouse.

“This is the most pivotal meeting in the whole exercise,” said Cllr Adams. “It will go to cabinet for a decision. If it was rejected by the environment overview group they have a more difficult decision on how to proceed.”

The committee comprises four Conservative group members, three Liberal Democrats and an independent Conservative.