A CHARITY has been left “extremely disappointed” after seeing its plans to convert private farmland in Poole into a publicly-accessible park rejected.

Talbot Village Trust’s proposal for Highmoor Farm near Talbot Heath had been recommended for approval by a BCP Council planning officer.

Members of the local authority’s planning committee narrowly voted to refuse the scheme for a 30-acre heathland support area at a meeting on Tuesday, May 23.

Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, chairman of Talbot Village Trust, said: “We are extremely disappointed that our planning application for a heathland support area has been refused by BCP Council.

“Our planning application directly reflects the council’s adopted planning policy for this site and seeks to deliver a fantastic area of greenspace for local community enjoyment whilst managing human pressures on the adjacent Talbot Heath and protecting wildlife.

“Following the decision, the trust will consider its options.

"We remain committed to supporting the local community and environment in this special part of Dorset.”

The refusal, which was proposed by Liberal Democrat councillor Tony Trent, could be subject to an appeal from Talbot Village Trust.

Cllr Trent said the proposal, which sparked more than 200 written objections from residents, would “intensify public use of the area, including the areas of heathland around it”.

He added: “It will act as a magnet for more visitors and users than it would do if it is left as it is.”

The Talbot Village Trust said its planning application was a central aspect of the organisation’s charitable purpose.

The charity said it would transform five private grazing fields at Highmoor Farm to help protect wildlife on the adjacent Talbot Heath and also deliver biodiversity net gain in excess of 20 per cent.

The planning application presented to the council was aligned with the Poole Local Plan 2018, the planning committee was told.

The land owned by Talbot Village Trust is split into three sperate allocations in the current Local Plan.

Area TV1 is earmarked for expansion of the universities and associated uses, including homes located more than 400m from Talbot Heath.

Area TV2 was assigned as an Innovation Quarter which could be home to “progressive” industries and a new private hospital.

The heathland support area was planned to be the realisation of TV3.

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