RESIDENTS in Pokesdown are rallying against plans to bulldoze a small plot of land in Bournemouth.

The green, located at the junction of Rosebery Road and Christchurch Road, was sold at auction on Tuesday, September 14.

This garden area is located on the stretch of Christchurch Road which runs from Pokesdown Station to Boscombe Precinct.

It is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, offering a historic shopping street of unique heritage with specialist arts and crafts style independent shops and a rare pocket green space adopted as a garden.

Ward councillor for Boscombe East and Pokesdown Cllr George Farquhar said: “It could mean the end of the garden and the loss of the biodiversity provided by the garden, which is enjoyed by pollinators and wildlife as well as the local residents.

“The pocket green space is an oasis for our residents, many of them are flat dwelling without access to gardens.

“But currently they can freely use this community asset, which has become a focal point for community hope and pride.”

Concerns of the risk of future development destroying the garden following the sale of the plot of land, have been raised by the community and councillors.

Cllr Farquhar added: “It is a garden that for over five years the Pokesdown Community Forum and local residents have worked hard together to create and mature.

“It deserves more than to be discarded out of hand and destroyed by development for the want of recognition of its value to the community wellbeing.”

Following sightings of a family of hedgehogs, and stag beetle larvae, the Dorset Wildlife Trust have been alerted to the risk and they are advising the Pokedown Community Forum.

Chair of Pokesdown Community Forum Pamela Ruthvan said: “It may not be a Kew Gardens to many, but it is to our local residents, many of whom don’t have any outside space at all.”

Residents have started a petition which so far has been signed by over 175 people and will be presented to BCP Council as supporting evidence of local support for the nomination as a Community Asset of Value.

To find out more and sign the petition, visit https://www.change.org/p/bcp-council-save-the-rosebery-rd-oasis-for-the-community.