A WATER firm has made an objection to the major Wessex Fields road building scheme.

The 'holding objection' from Wessex Water is potentially a significant blockage for the plan, put forward by Bournemouth council, Dorset County Council and Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership, which may involve the compulsory purchase of utilities land.

However Bournemouth council says the objection will not hold up the scheme, which is currently awaiting consideration by the borough's planning board.

In its submission, the firm, which operates the sewerage system throughout Bournemouth, states: "We believe that the use of this land for working areas cannot be achieved without wholesale and disproportionate measures to relocate apparatus to an alternative location. Therefore we are unable to agree that these proposals can be carried out in a satisfactory manner without significant disruption and delays to any construction programme.

"These proposals will injuriously affect our statutory operations and form a material consideration that must be addressed before the determination of any planning permission."

Wessex Water planning liaison manager Dave Ogborne told the Echo: “We have requested a holding objection to this application as it affects our sewage inlet works, which needs to be extended to cope with increased demand and meet new regulatory requirements.

“As the provider of sewerage services, we look forward to working closely with the applicants to try to resolve these concerns.”

However, Roger Ball, Bournemouth council director for development services, said: “The holding objection submitted by Wessex Water will not hold up the planning application.

“Wessex Water are a statutory consultee and we will continue to liaise with them as part of the planning application process.”

He said: “Wessex Fields is a major asset in Bournemouth already earmarked for employment.

“Through additional government funding we have an opportunity to transform the transport infrastructure, by connecting the Wessex Fields business park and surrounding area to the A338, as well as provide a much needed second access to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital."