CONCERNED Poole residents are to pursue the lack of consultation over placing a school for disruptive teenagers on their doorsteps.

A total of 375 Turlin Moor residents signed a petition opposing a proposal to house part of the Quay School for excluded pupils in the former first school building.

The petition was opposed to the lack of consultation with residents and the organiser is calling for safeguards to prevent it happening in future.

Residents feel the issue was rushed through by Borough of Poole. They were invited to a drop-in session on June 13 to hear about the plan to educate 40 teenagers aged 14 to 16.

The following day the council’s cabinet agreed the proposal for the school, for youngsters with emotional, behavioural or medical problems, and it went before full council a week later.

Petition organiser Lee Turner, a parent governor at the middle school, could not even present the petition himself because there was not enough time under the council’s own rules.

Mr Turner, who attended the council meeting at which the plans were voted through, said: “Some of the councillors did acknowledge they had made a mistake in not doing the proper consultation process.”

He has sought advice from the Local Government Ombudsman and will be contacting council chief executive John McBride.

“I want to know what safeguards will be put in place to stop it happening again,” he said. “There was no consultation at all, not in the wider community.”

Cllr Janet Walton, cabinet portfolio holder for children and young people said: “We accept there was not a wide consultation on this scheme but will ensure residents are better informed as the project progresses.

“We understand residents are concerned and will be listening to their views to ensure they are resolved satisfactorily.

“We want residents to be involved in shaping the school and are offering them a seat on the Quay School management committee.”