BCP Council has received national funding of £4.3 million for the development of housing at two sites in the conurbation.

Government housing agency Homes England has agreed the funding deals to speed up the construction of homes in the area.

Cllr Kieron Wilson, BCP Council housing member, said: "We are delighted to have received this funding from Homes England.

"There is a significant demand for housing in the BCP Council area and in particular, affordable housing.

"This funding will contribute to that housing need, enhance open spaces as well as providing much needed affordable rented and good quality, well-managed temporary emergency accommodation for families.”

The main share of the funding, some £3.8m, is for the controversial development of around 400 new homes at Turlin Moor, Hamworthy, Poole.

Many local residents are fiercely opposed to the scheme, which was first mooted as a possibility in April 2017.

Back then the Turlin Moor North Scheme was outlined as a possible development site in the Poole Local Plan, the planning blueprint to shape future development across the then Borough of Poole.

Existing Turlin Moor residents are particularly angry at the possibility of the loss of the popular Turlin Moor Recreation Ground

BCP Council says it is anticipated that building will commence at Turlin Moor in 2021 due to be completed in 2024.

Meanwhile, the remainder of the Homes England grant, £474,810, has been awarded for the redevelopment of Princess Road, Westbourne. This site will comprise of 121 apartments and a 20 room emergency accommodation family hostel along with 101 parking spaces and associated landscaping. Building work is due to start in 2020, with completion for 2022.

Homes England chief land and development officer, Stephen Kinsella, said: "This funding will enable the local authority to prepare their site for development and to bring forward the construction of homes.

"New homes will then be built out at pace using modern methods of construction.”