MID Dorset and North Poole MP Michael Tomlinson has called for an urgent House of Commons debate on the green belt in Dorset.

Speaking in the chamber during last Thursday's Business of the House of Commons the recently elected MP said: "Corfe Mullen, Wimborne and Merley and Bearwood are three important areas in my constituency. Each is protected by the green belt. What they have in common is that the green belt is under threat there and in Purbeck."

He asked Chris Grayling MP, to "make time for an urgent debate on the matter to ensure that our green belt is protected and that Dorset remains a special place to live, work and visit."

The Leader of the House said it was an issue many were concerned about, including the Prime Minister who "clearly stressed his commitment to maintaining and supporting the green belt" during the election campaign.

He added: "We face development pressures and have to make additional provision for housing in this country, but that must not be at the expense of the character of the areas we live in and represent. I suggest that the matter is an obvious candidate for the Backbench Business Committee or a 90-minute Westminster Hall debate, because I suspect that many colleagues would like to speak about it."

Michael told the Echo: "A number of residents have contacted me about sites in Corfe Mullen, Wimborne and Merley, which is why I specifically raised those cases in the House of Commons.

"Local people are rightly concerned that our precious green belt will be sacrificed for more development. The need for new homes is clear, but I want to see brown field sites used instead."

A few weeks ago Dorset County Council planners approved plans for 650 new homes in Wimborne over a stretch of farmland to the east and west of the Cranborne Road, Burts Hill. Plans have also just been approved for 83 timber holiday lodges on greenbelt land at Merely Court Touring Park, also on greenbelt land. And Purbeck residents consulted on planning blueprint the Purbeck District Local Plan have also expressed concerns about the future of greenbelt land there.