UNPOPULAR plans to build an industrial estate complete with church, care home and community hall on the edge of West Moors have been withdrawn.

Breathe Safety director Nick Aris has shelved his application for land at the end of Blackfield Lane after it attracted more than 400 letters of objection.

West Moors Parish Council said the proposals did not fit in with the neighbouring residential area.

“The East Dorset District Council Core Strategy has identified land for industrial use to meet local needs. This area was neither required nor included,” it said.

“There is inappropriate and inadequate highway access through a road constructed for a small residential estate, including single file traffic through pinch points.”

Its comments followed a meeting of its planning committee that was moved onto Fryers playing field after more than 100 members of the public attended.

Mr Aris’ plans included provision for eight commercial buildings, a church, a community hall and 60-bed care home alongside a 7,000m2 headquarters for his Ferndown-based business.

“The company has outgrown its current property and has been frustrated in previous attempts to expand or acquire larger premises,” a statement submitted with his application says.

“Mr Aris has purchased the application site with a view to providing the company with its own permanent site.

The Christchurch and East Dorset Local Plan identifies the land as being suitable for non-residential development such as care facilities.

But objectors said the proposed use was unacceptable for the area.

“This is a residential area,” Janet Healey of the Dorset branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England said.

“We appreciate that due to the proximity of heathland and various designated areas it cannot be developed for housing.

“But this is not suitable for this site. If it was just the church, community hall and care home then we would not object.”

The application was also opposed by Natural England and East Dorset Environment Partnership.

Joining the 405 objectors, councillor David Shortell said: “The development would be detrimental to the area’s wildlife which includes a number of endangered species.

“In addition, the site is located near to a large MOD fuel depot which raises the question of existing site contamination.”

The application was withdrawn earlier this month with no reason for the move given.