Action taken to protect greenbelt

A draft 'Replacement Structure Plan for Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole', was recently unveiled and puts forward a series of 'spatial strategies' for councils to heed when making decisions about planning.

But there are fears that the strategy, which could take effect from 2005 until 2026, could see some areas becoming too urbanised.

East Dorset District Council will meet and discuss how the plan will affect them and a council agenda to go before members tomorrow reads: "The general strategy includes focussing development on existing urban areas.

"This strategy is likely to prove controversial because it will require further development within the existing built-up areas."

The strategy refers to principal urban areas, which include the main towns in East Dorset, and proposes that 70 per cent of the future housing development should be located in such areas. But officers at the district council say it is likely that, with increasing development within built up areas, greenbelt boundary changes would be hard to avoid.

The agenda reads: "On the one hand protection of the greenbelt has been a long-term aim of this council's policy. On the other hand relaxing the greenbelt would provide large greenfield sites on which a high proportion of developer-funded affordable housing could be obtained."

But, citing the marginal impact releasing the greenbelt would have on providing affordable housing and the permanent loss of open country, the agenda refers back to past comments that the release of additional greenbelt land in East Dorset "could not be supported under current circumstances."

Among the recommendations likely to be supported by the district council within the strategy are provision and retention of local facilities, moves towards renewable energy and a range of environmental protections.

Councillors will discuss the proposed strategy on September 1 and decide what comments or recommendations to put forward.

First published: August 31