COUNCILLORS for Ferndown and West Parley have objected to “large parts” of the developments outlined in Dorset Council’s local plan.

In Ferndown and West Parley, 1640 homes are planned as part of the local plan, including 700 homes at Dudsbury Golf Course.

Cllr Andrew Parry, Cllr Julie Robinson, Cllr Mike Parkes and Cllr Cathy Lugg have submitted a joint statement in response to the proposals.

The statement said: “We object to large developments in the area but do support small developments of 'starter homes' to support younger people and families.

“We are fighting for the regeneration of the town centre and appropriate infrastructure in our areas.

“We all feel that the best solution is a 'new town' in Dorset with capacity for the majority of new homes for now and the future.”

The councillors said they did not support the proposals for a “disproportionate part of the Dorset allocation of new homes” to be located in Ferndown and West Parley.

In response to the plans for homes at Dudsbury Golf Course, the councillors said: “It is our recommendation that this site is considered unsuitable for large scale housing being proposed and instead it should be retained in its current format, as destination for golf and leisure and encourage enhanced business growth in this way.”

As part of the local plan, Blunts Farm was earmarked for a Gypsy and Traveller site. However, the councillors had “strong objections” to these proposals.

They said: “Ferndown and Uddens is the largest industrial site in Dorset an yet this local plan fails to recognise its significance.

“Blunts Farm and Cobham Gate are vital to the continued expansion of the site, and the intention to provide high quality employment, and a diverse range of businesses in the area.

“There is no exceptional circumstance for this release of land from green belt, in order to accommodate a Gypsy and Traveller site for which there is not a proven need in Ferndown.

“The site has two public footpaths running through it which will compromise the privacy of the Gypsy and Traveller occupants.

“Should the travellers keep horses, there is no land for grazing nearby that isn’t of an ecologically sensitive nature.

“Finally, there is no proven need for a traveller’s site in Ferndown. There is nothing to suggest that the Gypsy and Traveller community wish to settle, temporarily or otherwise in the Ferndown area.”

Summarising, the councillors said: “We feel that the best solution for the area and Dorset as a whole would be to create a ‘new town’ to take on the bulk of the new homes requirement for the county for the years to come and not just this local plan. This would attract additional government funding for improved infrastructure.”