PURBECK council faces a race against time as it aims to block a vast housing development proposed for Lytchett Matravers, Lytchett Minster and Upton.

A South West Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) report, published last month, recommended a 2,750-home "western extension" be built on green belt land to help meet housing need in Dorset by 2026.

In a charged meeting on Tuesday, the council voted unanimously to vigorously oppose the proposals but has only until May, when formal consultation on the RSS begins, to create a compelling case.

The council's argument will centre on what it perceives to be flawed evidence from planning consultants used in creating the draft report.

The council claims it failed to take into account transport and environmental issues.

In his report, presented to the council, Mark Sturgess, head of community planning and policy, said: "The decision by the panel has failed to properly assess evidence put forward by south-east Dorset authorities, county council and regional assembly, which was better researched and developed than that put forward by the consultants.

"The aim should be to demonstrate that the panel were wrong in believing that a solution can be found to the transport requirements of the location and that the effects of the development on the nature conservation sites can be sufficiently mitigated."

Purbeck council will argue the impact of the western extension could not be eased by simply widening the A35 or A351.

It will also focus on the "significant" effect such a huge development would have on internationally important conservation sites and green belt land.

The proposed increase in housing density from 105 per acre to 120 per acre will also be highlighted.

A war chest of £20,000 has been agreed to prepare the case against the western extension recommendations.

Cllr Bill Trite, who stood down as council leader last week, has written to Hazel Blears MP, secretary of state for communities and local government, to express his "outrage" and "abhorrence" at the recommendations.

He said: "The suggestion that 2,750 houses should be built on the green belt is nothing short of officially sanctioned vandalism of the countryside on a grand scale."