POOLE’S controversial Talbot Heath development plans have been thrown out in a “landmark decision”, according to campaigners.

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, yesterday (TUES 28) ruled out proposals for 450 student units and 378 homes, saying they would have a harmful effect on the heathland.

Campaigners against the Talbot Village Trust plans are celebrating the decision, which follows a 10-day £165,000 public inquiry last year.

The site, south of Wallisdown Road, borders an area of Special Scientific interest and falls within the Natural England 400m protection zone designed to protect heathland from the effects of urbanisation.

The Trust, and Poole’s planning committee, failed to win the case with their mitigation of a catproof fence and heathland improvements.

Branksome East ward Cllr Stephen Rollo-Smith said the ruling would be “revolutionary” for heath conservation across the south.

“This is a landmark decision because it shows that bolted together and inappropriate applications like this will not stand,” he said.

“You cannot overturn common sense protection of heathland to shoehorn in development.”

Protester Veronica Trevett, of Save Our Heath, said: “I’m absolutely delighted. I feel this justifies the objections of more than 1,000 people who signed our petition and residents’ associations, wanting to protect the integrity of the heath.”

The RSPB, Natural England, Bournemouth Council and Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns had concerns with the scheme, including traffic along Wallisdown Road.

Mr Burns said: “I have always said that this scheme was wrong for Talbot Heath and I will be getting in touch with the Talbot Heath Trust to mediate.”

He will try to work with the local community and university to find an alternative scheme, he said.

The Trust said the project would have brought many benefits to the area.

Trustee James Gibson Fleming said: “Some people seemed to think that we were planning to encroach on the heath itself.

“In fact we wanted to invest significantly in the improvement and the extension of the heath and certainly not build upon it.”

Cllr Mike White, Poole’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration, Borough of Poole, said: “The council is extremely disappointed at the outcome, as the application put forward by the Talbot Village Trust offered an opportunity to provide much needed affordable housing and family homes for the town.”

Meeting the growing demand for homes within the borough’s coastal and heathland boundaries is a “considerable challenge”, he said, and the council is focusing on regeneration opportunities in the town centre.