SCORES of residents gathered for a public meeting on Wednesday night to voice their fears over plans for up to 2,000 new homes.

Under East Dorset District Council's proposed 'local plan', the properties could potentially be built on land at Longham.

Earlier this year, plans for 386 new houses, a supermarket and a road on land east of New Road, West Parley - just over a mile away from Longham - went before the council.

Town councillors Paul Hanson Graham and Peter Lucas arranged the meeting.

Cllr Lucas said: "East Dorset has decided it wants to plonk 700 houses on greenbelt land here in Longham.

"Hundreds of homes are already on their way in Parley. More building around here will make the situation worse and cause misery for anyone within miles of here.

"We'd argue there are more appropriate places for these developments, and that Longham is unfairly impacted.

"Verwood, for example, only has to have 25 new houses under the plan."

Many of those who attended the meeting spoke of their concerns about infrastructure and traffic.

Christine and Philip Warner, who live in Longham, said troubles on the roads could increase "ten- or twenty-fold".

Their fears were echoed by Tim and Caroline Rumble, who live in busy Ringwood Road.

"It already takes me 47 minutes to get to Poole in the morning," Mr Rumble said.

"My question is, who are they building these houses for? Where will these people work?

"In Poole, they're knocking down all the industry and turning it into a giant housing estate."

Mrs Rumble said she hopes Longham Bridge will spare residents of "excessive" development.

"It's listed, so it can't be widened or changed in any way," she said.

"Where will all the new vehicles go? It's busy enough as it is. We're hoping that saves us."

Duke Budden, of Longham, called the plans "ludicrous".

The Coppins and Homewood Park developments, both of which are in Ferndown, have brought more than 200 new homes to the town in recent years.

One resident said: "We don't have a single shop in Longham as it is.

"If you want to buy a paper, you have to go Parley. Our GPs are over-subscribed.

"Where's the infrastructure to deal with this?"

Another woman who lives in the area criticised the council for "jargon".

"These council [officials] are sitting in their high offices discussing what they want to do and then tell us in jargon," she said.

Around 8,854 new homes will be built in East Dorset by 2033. Of that figure, 3,173 will be in existing urban areas, while 2,396 will be added to existing 'new neighbourhoods' in Corfe Mullen, Wimborne and Colehill, Ferndown and West Parley, and Verwood, planners say.

A consultation on the local plan is open until September 3. For information, or to comment, visit dorsetforyou.gov.uk/planning-buildings-land/planning-policy/christchurch/local-development-framework/christchurch-and-east-dorset-local-plan-review.aspx