‘FULL and serious’ reviews of major schemes approved by the former conurbation councils will be carried out, the new administration has promised.

Speaking on Wednesday, BCP Council deputy leader Mark Howell said he would re-examine schemes put forward by Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch councils to make sure decisions were correct.

It followed concerns about the “egregious” decision to approve the controversial Wessex Fields scheme earlier this year.

Members of Bournemouth council’s planning committee granted planning permission for the new link road off the A338 in January.

However, hundreds of people, including Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood had opposed the development and called it in for a government review which failed.

The decision was raised at the first meeting of the cabinet on Wednesday with Friends of Riverside campaigner describing it as “one of the most egregious displays of contempt” for the views of the public.

He urged the new coalition controlling the council to rethink the project.

In response, cabinet member for regeneration Cllr Mark Howell (Poole People, Poole Town) said he would look into the scheme, and others, to ensure they were suitable.

“I want to work with [council] officers to carry out full and serious reviews of all the major regeneration projects,” he said.

“We want to make the right decisions in all these schemes, bearing in mind the values we have as a cabinet.”

He added that he would be recommendations after examining all the projects and said he would prioritise those deemed to be more urgent.

Schemes proposed or approved by the preceding three councils which could be reviewed also include the Winter Gardens redevelopment in Bournemouth.

Outline planning permission for the £150 million development was granted by Bournemouth council at the end of last year.

The scheme is the largest of those put forward by Bournemouth Development Company, a partnership between the council and Morgan Sindall Investments.

One councillor sits on its board and, on Wednesday, the cabinet approved the appointment of Liberal Democrat councillor for Broadstone, Mike Brooke, to the role.