A CAMPAIGN group opposed to a development of 550 homes and a care home on former Poole green belt land is calling on the Government to step in.

Richborough Estates saw its outline application for land north of Merley at Cruxton Farm approved by BCP Council’s planning committee last month (April) despite hundreds of objections.

Following this decision, the Save Land North of Merley action group is asking Secretary of State Michael Gove to intervene and potentially spark a public inquiry.

Three speakers from the action goup, together with a transport consultant they hired, spoke at the planning committee meeting on April 21.

Save Land North of Merley, which represents residents in Merley, Oakley and Canford Magna, presented arguments against the granting of the application.

These included concerns over ”insoluble transport issues” on the narrow lane beside the proposed development site, problems which residents believe will not be sorted out by a shift from car use to walking, cycling and taking the bus to work.

Frank Ahern, chair of the action group, said: “The radical behavioural change is not going to happen, as is well known by BCP Council’s Highways officer.

“The main employment areas for the residents of Merley are Poole and Bournemouth. Inevitably people will continue to drive to work, an assumption made by the developer, whose plans include generous numbers of garages and parking spaces.”

The action group repeatedly challenged the application on the grounds of heritage issues, which hadalso been raised by Historic England.

They say the site has historic features on three sides of it, including the Grade I listed buildings of Canford Manor – now a school - and Canford Magna Church.

Historic England proposed reducing the number of homes as a compromise, which was supported by the council’s conservation officer. However, applicant Richborough Estates rejected it and this stance was seen as acceptable by the planning case officer.

Save Land North of Merley team said their main argument for a call-in was in the contention that views of Historic England and the conservation officer had not been given the weight they deserved in considering the scheme.

Mr Ahern said the absence of a conservation officer or substitute speaking at the planning committee was significant.

“This support, if allowed to be given at the meeting, might have tipped the balance in favour of refusal of the application,” said Mr Ahren.

Richborough Estates would need to submit reserved matters applications before work can begin on building the new homes.