CONCERNED residents have called on civic leaders to remove green belt land in north Bournemouth from a list of proposed traveller sites.

A deputation from Throop, Muscliffe, Strouden, Townsend and Holdenhurst area forum made its voice heard at a Bournemouth council meeting.

Consultants Bakers Associates have carried out widespread consultation on a range of possible options for traveller sites including land near Erin Farm on Muscliffe Lane, land at Careys Road off Broadway Lane and a site at Throop Road, between Woodbury Avenue and the allotments.

Area forum chairman Domonic Coleman said: “This is not NIMBYism; it is an objection to the possible loss of our last remaining green belt for development of three residential sites.

“We would be objecting if this was for retail, industrial or any form of housing. If it is allowed to go ahead there is also a serious risk that it will set a precedent for other proposed development, or for the extension of these proposed sites, on the green belt sometime in the future.”

He added: “In our view the council has sufficient power to immediately remove these three proposed sites and state that any future proposed sites will not be located in the green belt.”

Mr Coleman described the Bakers Associates’ report as “unsound” adding: “They did not undertake a proper and detailed investigation.

“The proposed Erin Farm site is not council owned as they believed; Careys Road still remains part of the reservation for the section of Castle Lane Relief Road.

“The council should not be frightened into providing sites on unsuitable locations. There are instances where people needing to sell their homes are unable to as the purchasers will not commit until the site location is determined.”

He warned: “The council should not underestimate the strength of feeling in the area which will only grow stronger the longer this matter rem-ains unresolved.”

Ward councillor Ron Whittaker, who represents Throop and Muscliff, said: “We cannot allow these three green belt sites to remain.”