ENOUGH is enough say residents of an East Dorset town calling for a halt to the number of flats being built in their community.

Many including district councillor Queenie Com-fort have already dubbed Ferndown "Flatsdown" in view of the numerous blocks of apartments springing up in areas once characterised by large homes in leafy avenues.

In the last three years residents have fought numerous battles against planners and developers to stop the rapid spread with few successes.

Earlier this month campaigners were stunned when the go ahead was given to two blocks containing 12 units going in to Beaufoys Avenue - a Special Character Area. A similar set of plans for Golf Links Road was refused at the same meeting but campaigners say they expect the application to go to appeal and seven other blocks of apartments have already been built close by.

Previously flats have been built at several places along Ringwood Road, in Victoria Road and both the Pure Drop and Coachhouse pubs were demolished to make way for flats.

With more going through the planning process such as 536 Wimborne Road East, 333-335 New Road and 3 Glenmoor Road and further plans in the pipeline including ten proposed flats for Victoria Road, residents say Ferndown is quickly changing.

Resident Chris Marshall said: "The reason for buying a house in Ferndown is the natural beauty of the area which is now being bulldozed into oblivion by developers coming into our community to suck out the very best of it, knocking down beautiful homes and leaving behind massive blocks of luxury flats."

Cllr Roberta Lovett, chair of planning at Ferndown Town Council said: "Myself and my committee members have to view each application individually and take it on its merits."