CIVIC leaders are urging residents to voice their opinions on how Purbeck’s heathland should be protected.

Residents will be able to comment on the consultation, which involves a number of councils and will run from January 7 until February 18.

Purbeck District Council (PDC) environment spokesman Cllr Gloria Marsh said: “The district of Purbeck supports one of the most special and heavily protected environments in the country.

“Almost a quarter of the district is of international importance for nature conservation, including more protected Dorset heathlands than any other districts.”

The consultation is being coordinated by the Borough of Poole, in partnership with Bournemouth, Christchurch, East and Purbeck councils. A PDC spokesman said: “The consultation starts just before the district council plans to undertake a partial review of the Purbeck Local Plan Part 1.

“This will give the council further opportunity to review its approach to heathland mitigation in the future.”

Copies of the consultation document will feature online, with hard copies set to be made available at local libraries, town council offices and at PDC’s Wareham headquarters on Worgret Road.

Cllr Marsh said: “Protecting and enhancing the natural environment is one of the district council’s corporate priorities so we would like everyone who has an interest in the heathland to give us their comments.”

The document sets out the council’s approach to avoiding and reducing harm, particularly through residential development, to the heathlands of the district.

Visit consultationtracker.dorsetforyou.com to view copies of the Heathland Supplementary Planning document and details of how to respond.

All responses should be made to planning@poole.gov.uk with Heathland SPD in the subject box.