RESIDENTS are being urged to have their say on plans that could affect recreational activities, such as dog walking, cycling and boating, in Poole Harbour.

Borough of Poole (BOP) has teamed-up with Purbeck District Council (PDC) to consult on the draft Poole Harbour Recreation Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

This document will ultimately set out future measures required to protect Poole Harbour from increased residential development and the impact human activities have on birds’ behaviour or their survival.

According to wildlife experts, some current recreational activities are disturbing the harbour's wading birds, which are protected under European law.

BOP cabinet portfolio holder for planning, Cllr Ian Potter, said: "Poole Harbour is an outstanding natural feature and unsurprisingly is very popular with local people and visitors.

"We have worked closely with Natural England and Poole Harbour Commissioners to develop this joint strategy, which will be used by each of the local planning authorities to determine residential planning applications in this area.

"With approximately 11,393 new homes planned around the harbour in the future, this means more visitors to Poole Harbour and more recreational activities, resulting in greater disturbance to the birds and their habitat."

Officials believe it is likely that further residential development around the harbour in Poole and Purbeck will have a greater impact on the nationally and internationally designated sites.

Now the councils, which will both be amalgamated into two larger unitary authorities in April, want to hear the views of local people about measures required to mitigate the effects of recreational activities around the harbour, to enable future development to proceed.

PDC environment portfolio holder, Cllr Peter Webb, said: "This is a good example of joined up working across councils to deal with shared issues.

"We are keen to hear local residents’ views about this important document."

Meanwhile, BOP growth and infrastructure head Julian McLaughlin added: "It is important for us to try to balance people’s enjoyment of and future development around Poole Harbour whilst also protecting the wealth of marine habitats, birds and animals that inhabit the area."

Visit www.poole.gov.uk/pooleharbourrecreationspd to view the SPD online.

The deadline for comments is Monday, March 4, 2019.