WILDLIFE watchdog Natural England has been slammed by Purbeck councillors - for not promptly commenting on a planning application.

And that, say, councillors could hit local ratepayers in the pockets as delays in dealing with plans are in effect subject to a government grant penalty.

Last year the district council approved a training facility and workshop for the army's Terrier engineering tractor on land to the east of the road from Bovington to Clouds Hill.

Now it is being asked to give approval for a practice dig area for the tractor on a seven hectare site in a conifer plantation on the opposite side of the road.

The Ministry of Defence had supplied independently-produced wildlife surveys with mitigation strategies to minimise disturbance to the habitat.

Purbeck planners thought the proposals were acceptable. But they highlighted the lack of response on the proposal from official watchdogs Natural England and the Environment Agency.

Development control manager Alan Davies said: "The MoD works very closely with Natural England now. We are pressing for a comment though we are pretty sure there will be no objection."

Councillors went on to back the application unanimously - on the basis that their decision was subject to there being no objections from the two watchdogs.

Planning board chairman Cllr Peter Wharf said he wanted both agencies told: "They are standing between the council and the planning delivery grant - if external bodies slow us down and the council receives less money - residents have to pay more council tax."