PROPOSALS for a woodland burial site at Lytchett Minster have been refused by civic chiefs amid concerns over seeping rainwater spreading viruses from decomposing bodies.

Poole-based Tapper & Son Ltd sought permission to turn just over 10 hectares of agricultural land into a burial ground between Blandford Road North and Randalls Farm at Randalls Hill.

But residents voiced a series of concerns about extra traffic and water pollution - though no objections were raised by Dorset County Council highways chiefs or Wessex Water.

GP Dr Almer, who lives locally, explained the possible danger of rainwater running off the site carrying viruses from decomposing bodies.

He said: "The Environment Agency has said you can't have burials in the (site's) waterlogged areas. It is inferred that because they have not said you can't have them in the other areas then you can. I would like to see the evidence."

Applicant Steven Tapper said: "There are many objections that continue and a number of these are unfounded and sensational.

"It is an unfortunate fact of life we need these civil grounds but we do. Would my company really be investing sums of money needed to do this unless there is a need?

"We've looked long and hard for other locations for civil grounds but the constraints of highways and waterways leave little choice."

Cllr Julie Wheeldon said: "Initially we are all in favour of woodland burial but they should be in the right place.

"Even if we have tests done my worry is there is so much water running there - even on dry days there is water running - there must be so much seepage in that area."