DISAPPOINTED residents of Hamworthy in Poole have lost a battle to safeguard their cherished park within a £2 million flood defence scheme.

The Environment Agency's proposal to build earth mounds, walls and access ramps at the rear of popular Hamworthy Park to safeguard 72 properties from a risk of flooding, has been approved by Poole planners.

Residents who opposed it said it would allow the cafe, toilets and paddling pool to flood, while ramps and walls would be a "skateboarders' delight".

Resident Ray Knight, representing around 500 residents, Lake Residents Association and the Friends of Hamworthy Park, called for the scheme to be deferred because designs were changing and it was incomplete.

"Once completed it can never be changed. If it's the wrong one we have to live with it forever, to the detriment of the people of Poole," he said.

Hamworthy East Cllrs Roger Gregory and Mike White both raised objections including the felling of 28 mature trees and the Environment Agency's "refusal to look in detail at alternatives".

Cllr Jeff Allen, who proposed refusing the scheme, said: "The message I am receiving is that Hamworthy Park doesn't matter."

Cllr Graham Wilson added: "This is a dog's breakfast of a design."

But council leader Cllr Brian Leverett said: "I know the very strong feelings of the residents but we have to act as a regulatory committee and quite honestly I can't find any reason to vote against this."

Fiona Geddes, the Environment Agency's project manager, said: "This represents, in our opinion, the best available solution for a flood defence scheme for Hamworthy Park."

She added that proposals for defending the cafe and toilets were now with council officers.

The planning application was approved with the addition that felled trees must be replaced with semi-mature trees.

"We are bitterly disappointed because the Environment Agency didn't take on board any of the concerns raised by residents," said Ann Smeaton of the Friends of Hamworthy Park after the meeting.

"But we have got to move forward from now on and look to the future," she added.

First published: May 25