AN ARCHITECT fears the collapse of the local construction industry as English Nature considers blocking development within three miles of heathland.

The government-funded conservation body has raised concerns about any development that could increase footfall on the county's heathland.

East Dorset District Council has responded by halting decision-making on such applications until the matter is clarified.

Architect Peter Thompson is advising clients not to submit planning applications for residential development in East Dorset until the matter is clarified.

He asked: "Is a sand lizard, a Dartford Warbler and a smooth snake more important than providing housing for people? We need 5,900 houses to meet the structure plan.

"If development within 5km of the heathland is blocked the construction industry will come to a grinding halt, value of property will rise to unbelievable levels and local people will not be able to afford to live here. It seems English Nature now controls the planning industry. I thought we were in a democracy.

"I am very concerned that people will be put out of business by this."

English Nature say that heathland is already under considerable pressure as a result of high populations and that each individual development has a cumulative impact on the number of people using the heath for leisure.

They want developers to come up with large areas of alternative land close to developments that would be suitable for leisure in a bid to keep footfall on the heath to a minimum.