A BOURNEMOUTH MP has urged an inspector not to recommend approving the controversial Talbot Village Trust application.

Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns had asked Secretary of State Eric Pickles to call in the application after Borough of Poole approved it last summer.

Planning inspector Wendy Burden, who is hearing the appeal, will make her recommendation to Mr Pickles at the end of the enquiry.

Mr Burns, whose constituency includes Branksome East in Poole, said significant numbers of these and Talbot Woods residents had raised concerns with him as had Natural England, one of the main objectors.

“This is farmland we are talking about,” he said. “I have significant concerns about this development.”

But he stressed it was this particular development, not any development in the area.

He listed congested traffic in Wallisdown Road and protecting the heathland as major concerns about the trust’s proposals for 378 homes, 450 student units and academic space.

The proposed cat-proof fence had never been tried anywhere but Australia and he doubted if Poole Council’s attempts to restrict pets would work.

A supporter of Bournemouth University, he said it was keen to expand.

“I am not against the principle of some development within this area,” he said and urged the inspector not to recommend approval to Mr Pickles.

“We could then work together, the university, residents associations and Talbot Village Trust to come up with an alternative.

“Heathland is a precious site I want to see protected and passed on to be looked after by future generations,” he said.