IT’S out with the Olympics and in with the cherry trees as AFC Bournemouth has a second attempt at replacing the entrance gates at Kings Park.

The club’s original Olympic and Diamond Jubilee themed design, which was said to represent a street map of Bournemouth, was refused by planners as being “out of keeping” and harmful to the character of Kings Park.

The football club has come back with a new design of two cherry trees – a reference to AFC Bournemouth’s nickname the Cherries and the fact the stadium is built on an old orchard. They said they hoped the “softer” design would find favour with residents and planners.

But Cllr Nick King, ward councillor for Littledown and Iford, said he had already been contacted by residents with concerns about the new plans.

“I’m pleased the previous application was turned down because I didn’t think they were appropriate for Kings Park,” he said.

“But we have to remember the current gates are there for a reason – to protect the park from traveller incursions.

“Whilst the current ones might be ugly, they do the job we need them to.

“I don’t want to see more decorative gates put there in their place if they are not substantial enough to serve this purpose.”

And fellow ward councillor Lawrence Williams said: “I think there is an issue with the football club trying to take the park over but they will get a lot of resistance from us, that’s for sure.

“The main problem is they don’t want to talk to either the residents or the councillors.”

Council planners have also received an objection from a Thistle-barrow Road resident, who said: “The proposed gates do not look robust and are certainly not discreet – more in keeping with someone’s own vanity project.

“Strangely the gates seem to, or are intended to imply, the park belongs to the football club. It does not.”