A POOLE residents' association has accused the council of being less than F.A.B over its dealings with the developer of the prestigious Thunderbird house.

It has served a writ on Borough of Poole chief executive John McBride, calling for action against Seven Developments, whose managing director's love of the puppet TV programme inspired the house.

The company, which this weekend opens the doors of its £3.5 million Tracey Island-style show house in Western Avenue, is alleged to have unlawfully felled five trees on the site.

The writ, issued by Bournemouth County Court, was served by John Sprackling, chairman of Branksome Park, Canford Cliffs and District Residents' Association.

It says: "The Borough of Poole has failed to take any enforcement proceedings in respect of such action, has refused requests from the claimant to do so and has refused the claimant's request to see the council's solicitor's advice on why the Borough of Poole decided that it would not be in the public interest to pursue a prosecution."

The association says five individual golden conifer and thuja trees, 20ft-35ft tall in the centre of the plot, were axed in April 2004.

They were not covered by tree preservation orders but were in the Branksome Park Conservation Area, which gives some protection.

The council did institute court proceedings against Seven Developments but withdrew the prosecution in March this year.

"We have got absolutely fed up with the spinelessness of the council about their lack of enforcement of direct offences against their own rules," said Terry Stewart, association president.

When the council withdrew its prosecution, a statement was issued by Giles Moir of planning services, stating the company's arboriculturist's report said the trees were exempt from prosecution because they formed part of a hedge.

"The council received legal advice that the company had a defence that was likely to succeed and decided that it would not be in the public interest to take this prosecution to the crown court as it would be expensive and an unwise use of council tax payers money," he said.

Eddie Mitchell, managing director of Seven Developments, who is a lifelong Thunderbirds fan, described the writ as "pathetic".

He said they had replanted several trees on the acre site and spent around £70,000 on landscaping. "It's absolutely fantastic what we have done," he added.

The council is currently considering its position.

It has 14 days to respond and 28 days to lodge a defence in court.

First published: August 16, 2005