DEVELOPERS are drawing up plans to convert a 12-acre patch of reclaimed land in Poole into an industrial estate.

St Modwen said that its scheme for the site, east of Holes Bay, was “unlikely” to lead to “significant” environmental effects, a position backed by the Environment Agency.

However, Natural England said it was “concerned” that the development could have a direct impact on the protected Poole Harbour area.

In April, St Modwen announced it had bought the land with the intention of calling it St Modwen Park Poole.

It said once the development of three industrial units is completed, the estate could have a value of £30 million and that it could help expand the logistics centre.

An environmental screening request was submitted to BCP Council in March seeking guidance about its plans to build on the land at the end of Sterte Avenue West.

It is proposing a new access to the development via a new junction with Sterte Avenue and has requested the council decided whether a full environmental assessment is required as part of any planning application.

In a report submitted to the council it said it did not believe it to be necessary “as it is considered unlikely to result in significant environmental effects”.

The position has been backed by the Environment Agency although it requested that any planning application process consider the impact of developing the site.

Environment Agency planning advisor Michael Holm said: “We do not believe that the scope of these works is likely to impact on a sensitive area that falls within the remit defined under the regulations.”

In a response to St Modwen’s request, Jack Potter, Natural England representative for Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said: “Natural England is concerned that the proposed development could have significant direct impacts and that further assessment should be required.”

He added that if the council decided that an environmental impact assessment was not required, that it request that St Modwen carry out detailed examinations of the impact of building on the site.

The council said it issued a pre-application response to St Modwen on Friday (May 17).