BCP Council's leadership has been slammed for announcing "out of the blue" the closure of Kings Park Nursery.

The Bournemouth plant nursery and garden centre announced it would close its doors to the public after 100 years of operating.

Operators BCP Council said it took the decision to close to save the authority £85,000 in the 2024/25 financial year.

At a full council meeting held on Tuesday, opposition councillors slammed the decision, accusing the council of making the decision "out of the blue".

Cllr Lawrence Williams, ward councillor for Littledown and Iford where the plant nursery is based, said he is "appalled" by the decision.

He said: "There have been comments at council meetings that this will be a transparent council. This is the least transparent council I have ever been involved with."

Cllr Williams added: "For £85,000 a year, it is absolute nonsense, especially considering last night they voted themselves £100,000 worth of new allowances, which would more than cover it."

Cllr Stephen Bartlett said: "One would expect any plans to be published in advance and potential decisions be given to overview and scrutiny to give them an opportunity to look at particular decisions coming forward.

"I think it's very regrettable that decisions like this are seemingly taken behind the scenes and announced at short notice, particularly when they have not been discussed with the ward councillors involved."

Boscombe East and Pokesdown councillor George Farquhar said the decision "came out of the blue" to councillors and residents on what would have been the nursery's 100th year.

He added: "It seems unfortunate that the communication strategy wasn't planned out for this, and it's seemed unfortunate that as ward councillors, we had no sight of this before.

"[We] are having to pick up the pieces to explain why this decision seems to have come without any justification, scrutiny consultation with the public in the area and use it."

Cllr Patrick Canavan added: "The announcement has come completely out of the blue, and apparently, no consultation with anybody. I am wondering where that accountability lies."

Deputy leader Cllr Millie Earl said: "We are aware that it will impact our dedicated staff and volunteers, and we will be supporting them throughout this process. Our aim now is to look at how we can best use this space to benefit the community going forward."