PLANS to revamp the entrance to a Bournemouth park with these Olympic-themed gates have been labelled “a joke” by councillors and residents.

The bold designs have been submitted by AFC Bournemouth who feel the current entrance gates are “too industrialised” for Kings Park.

They feature a version of the Olympic rings logo, as well as a diamond shape to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The steel framework is intended to represent a Google map of the local area.

AFC Bournemouth chairman Eddie Mitchell said: “We just tried to create something for that end of the park really.

“The gates there at the moment are quite industrialised for a park. We wanted something that would mark the Olympics and the Jubilee.

“We are pleased with the design. We may make a few little tweaks but basically that’s what we’re proposing. It would be nice if we could get the go ahead to make the entrance gates a little bit more domesticated and not so industrial.” But proposals have not gone down well with ward councillors, one of whom told the Echo he originally dismissed the plans as a hoax.

Cllr Lawrence Williams said: “I thought it was an early April Fool’s joke. They would not be appropriate for the park and I will be fighting these plans.”

The council’s parks department has also formally objected to the application and Elaine Findlay, of the Friends of Kings Park, said: “It’s a design disaster. They are unbelievably tacky. The gates there at the moment are absolutely fine. Is this going to go before the planning board on April 1?”

Mixed views on gate design

Robert Miles, of Cooper Dean, said: “I think the design could be a bit better. It would be better to have the rings in the middle and a uniform line across the top.”

Bob Jones, member of Kings Park bowling club, said: “I think it will be a good thing, it’s something different isn’t it? “It looks okay to me,” he added.

Tony Bishop, also a member of the bowling club, said: “I don’t really care about the design as long as the gates are open at the right times and we can get in.”

Vittorio Gariano, of Moordown, said: “I like the fact that they’ve got the Olympic rings in it. “I think they will look lovely, it’s a good design.”