THE developers behind a controversial new housing scheme between Canford Magna and Bearwood say they are investing more than £580,000 in the local area.

More than 300 homes, including 249 houses and 75 flats, are being built off Magna Road.

Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, the developers behind the Canford Paddock scheme, are investing in educational facilities in the area, as well as public transport.

“We have worked closely with the local authority to identify how we can contribute to the wider community here in Canford Magna,” sales director Michelle Storer said.

“As part of our commitment to help further enhance local amenities, we are providing extra funding towards educational facilities.

“This includes a significant investment of more than £20,000 towards improving links between the new developments and Bearwood Primary School.

“We are also contributing £107,500 to be spent helping to protect Dorset heathland, and £455,000 for enhancing public transport in the area.”

“Add to that, a new 14 hectare Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) initiative for the developments and wider community, and it’s not surprising plans for our homes here are prompting a great deal of interest.

“We have invested more than £580,000 – and we’re extremely proud of the work our teams are involved in at Canford Paddock.”

The SANG on the site of Canford Magna golf course, which closed in 2016, was met with some controversy when it was first proposed.

However, despite these concerns, and those about the impact of the new development on local services and infrastructure, Poole’s planning committee granted planning permission in 2017.

Meanwhile, there are plans to create another residential development off Magna Road featuring 800 homes and a 60-bed care home.

The proposed development, known as Canford Park, was unveiled to the public last summer by developers WH White. A formal planning application is yet to be submitted.

And residents of Canford Magna and Merley are also protesting a planned development of up to 650 homes on green belt land.

Richborough Estates is expected to submit a planning application soon for the 90-acre plot south of the River Stour.

Last November, hundreds of residents, organised by action group Save Land North of Merley, assembled in protest against the planned scheme.

Under the new Poole Local Plan, which was approved by councillors in November, the land is due to be stripped of its green belt designation to accommodate a shortfall of 1,300 homes across Poole.

The land is one of two ‘strategic urban extensions’ in the area, the other one being green belt land north of Bearwood that is set to accommodate WH White’s development.