I welcome the letter from the chair of Poole’s planning committee indicating that any planning application on Branksome Rec will be dealt with solely on planning grounds.

It is a matter of public record, though, that all five of the Conservative members of the committee voted in favour of the principle of leasing public open space to Poole Town FC at this month’s full council.

It is a further matter of fact that Branksome Rec is protected by planning policy L1 of Poole’s Local Plan in that no development may take place on public open space unless alternative open space is provided or the development is for essential community benefit.

Any application for a private sports facility on public open space is therefore a fundamental departure from the local plan and must be referred to the Secretary of State.

It is unusual for me to support any decision made by an outsider to Poole, but in this case I feel that many residents of Branksome will feel better disposed towards a decision by government than one by a committee of local councillors in which the majority have already indicated their support.

Cllr Philip Eades, Branksome West Ward, Borough of Poole