A BATTLE to stop one of the most important remaining heathland areas in Europe being swamped by more than 1,300 new homes is about to start.

At stake is a controversial plan to build 1,350 homes at Holton Heath, near Wareham.

The battle-lines have been drawn with local residents strongly opposed to the scheme, which Purbeck District Council says is necessary to meet housing provision obligations.

A government inspector will hear the arguments for and against when the local plan public inquiry resumes on Tuesday November 20 in Wareham.

On the eve of the inquiry three of the biggest environmental and conservation groups have joined forces to strengthen their opposition.

The RSPB, English Nature and the Dorset Wildlife Trust hope to persuade the inspector not to allow the houses to be built.

In a joint statement they have said Holton Heath represents the "most important public inquiry for wildlife conservation in the UK in the last 10 years."

The inquiry is expected to last until Christmas.

Residents fear the traffic-choked area will become an unbearable nightmare if the scheme goes ahead.

A consortium of three developers withdrew its planning application for the homes last month, but the council is asking the inspector to look at the principle of allowing the homes to be built.

RSPB conservation officer Richard Archer, said: "Holton Heath is home to some of the rarest and most vulnerable wildlife such as nightjars, woodlarks, Dartford warblers and silver-studded blue butterflies.

"If this proposed allocation is approved, these species are at serious risk, simply through having thousands of people living close to such a sensitive heathland area.

"Urbanisation brings the increased danger of illegal fires, disturbance to nesting sites, and, obviously, a huge increase in road traffic in the area."

Jim White of English Nature said: "All three organisations are calling for a new, sustainable approach to planning in south-east Dorset."