CAMPAIGNERS are keen to maintain their "strength of feeling" in opposition to major housing plans for around 600 houses and a 60-bed care home on fields near Merley.

The Save Land North of Merley group have organised a public meeting as the wait goes on for Richborough Estates to submit a planning application for the site.

As reported by the Daily Echo in November last year, the founders of the movement organised a protest against the development, which hundreds attended.

The group has been expecting Richborough Estates to submit a planning application for several months to build on the land, which was released from the green belt by Borough of Poole.

Frank Ahern, chairman of Save Land North of Merley, said he had met with the developers on several occasions.

"Last time I spoke with Richborough they said it was going to be by the end of June," said Mr Ahern.

"However, we have decided we need to keep the momentum going in the group.

"We want to keep people aware of what is going on and give some advice on what constitutes a valid objection to the development.

"It is important everyone knows everything is still to fight for.

"Some people assume these things always go through but I feel it is not inevitable because we feel Richborough will not meet specific conditions outlined in the Poole Local Plan.

"The meeting is about ensuring we keep up the strength of feeling and letting people know we can still fight our cause."

The meeting takes place today from 7.45pm at Merley Community Centre.

The group set up a fundraising page to help their cause, which has raised almost £2,500.

This money will be used to commission independent traffic surveys and engage other independent experts to help challenge the planning applications, according to the page.

Their main areas of concern include the impact on wildlife, removal of leisure amenities and infrastructure, such as roads, schools and doctors.

Michaela Slatford, who lives in nearby Canford Magna and founded Save Land North of Merley, said: "At the moment we are just waiting for the application to come through.

"We wanted to hold a meeting because it is a long time without any major updates and we want people to know we are still protesting against it and doing the best we can for the community."

In October last year, Richborough held two public exhibitions to gain feedback on their proposals before they submit a planning application for the 90-acre plot.