A HIGH-DENSITY development of 534 dwellings has been unveiled for the highly contaminated Pitwines site in Poole town centre.

Housebuilder Crest Nicholson has submitted a full planning application for a mix of apartments and a few houses on the 4.3 hectare (10.6 acre) wasteland site.

The former gasworks land, vacant for 30 years, is contaminated by harmful liquids, liquors and tars. A second planning application deals with this.

Residents of nearby Baiter have already voiced concerns about the "nasties" that will come out of the soil and vast underground concrete structures and how they will be dealt with.

"Of course we would prefer the area to look nice and it will increase the value of our homes," said David Howard, Baiter representative of the 1,000-strong Parkstone Bay Association. "But we don't want it to be at the risk of people's health."

A huge environmental study accompanies the application, setting out pollutants and how they will be dealt with. They include methane and carbon dioxide gases and water pollution.

"Any possible contaminated 'spoil' arising from excavations during the works will be treated and reused on the site," says the report.

It says there are likely to be "limited incidences" of dust affecting properties within 400m of the site.

Mr Howard is concerned that there are houses within 25m and he fears four years of phased development disruption.

The study admits the handling of contaminated spoil requires "careful control" to ensure workers, neighbours and the general public are not exposed to contaminated dust and vapours.

It states: "It is considered this represents a potential moderate to major negative impact on human health grounds."

The proposed development, for land both sides of Seldown Bridge, represents 123 homes per hectare (50 per acre).

Buildings facing the houses at Baiter Park would be three- to three-and-a-half storeys, rising in height to the north.

The plan is for one-, two- and three-bedroom flats and three- and four-bedroom houses, 190 units of affordable housing and sheltered flats.

This major plank of town-centre regeneration will include privately owned homes, shared-equity housing and homes for rent.

"It is vital to us that we do all we can to help the general public understand our aims in this ground-breaking project and our genuine intention to regenerate this part of the Poole area for the benefit of all," said Graeme Milne, managing director for Crest Nicholson South.

The company is holding a two-day exhibition at Enefco House, Poole Quay, on Thursday (7pm to 10pm) and Friday (noon to 9pm) to show the plans and answer residents' questions.

"By working closely with the needs of local residents, we are confident that the proposed scheme will become a landmark development that will enhance and regenerate this part of Poole," added Mr Milne.