PROTESTERS are fighting to save a historic village from the threat of a new housing estate - saying it will destroy views of landmarks visited by thousands of tourists each year.

Villagers in Tolpuddle fear that if 12 houses are built looking out over the water meadows it could spoil the character of the village and cause even greater flooding misery.

The village, which draws interest from all over the world as home to trade union pioneers the Tolpuddle Martyrs, lies in a conservation area. Its museum and the annual trade union rally bring thousands of people to see the spots where the martyrs lived, held meetings, worshipped and drank.

The proposed housing development would neighbour the Martyrs' chapel, Thomas Standfield's cottage and East Farm stand, looking out over the water meadows to the south.

Protesters say that houses above the site already suffer serious flooding in the winter and the new houses would sit at the lowest spot in the village.

Wendy Cox, of Main Road, said: "The village does not want this development. It shouldn't happen in the historic village of Tolpuddle and if the councillors looked at their own council's statement about the village in the document West Dorset 2000 they would realise that this plan is in direct opposition to that."

Gordon Hebditch, whose house near the site floods every year, said: "Whatever they do on that site it will flood - there's no doubt about it. And the surface water the houses would create will make the situation worse for the other villagers."

Councillors on West Dorset District Council's planning committee will consider the plan at a meeting next month, if the Environment Agency submits its report in time.

Planning officer Andrew Martin said: "As far as I am aware, the agency will not object if the developer creates enough flood water storage space to meet with their requirements. Their plan will have to make sure that the houses are 6mm above the worst possible flooding level.

"There may be issues with how that would affect the neighbouring houses, but I will consider all the issues when I come to write my report."