CALLS from planning officers to build on east Dorset's green belt have been fiercely opposed by councillors.

Anxious residents packed out East Dorset District Council's public gallery on Wednesday as members debated green belt land use and the affordable housing crisis hampering young families across the region.

Two members of the public, Sheila Bourton from the Keep Wimborne Green organisation, and Brian Lane from Keep Corfe Mullen Green, made impassioned pleas to protect green belt land.

"In our view the green belt is vitally important in protecting against urban sprawl and the loss of identity in our towns and cities," said Mrs Bourton.

Councillors unanimously refused to back recommendations - made by the council's policy planning head William Wallace - which called for development to be sanctioned on some green belt land.

Instead they agreed to back a motion tabled by Cllr Mike Dyer which objected to green belt development in Corfe Mullen, Ferndown and West Parley - areas all highlighted for extra housing by central government.

The motion ended: "The need for affordable housing is recognised, but its provision should not outweigh environmental loss."

The debate enabled the council's policy and resources committee members to lodge their views on local government secretary Hazel Blears' rewritten Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West, which will ultimately lead to 29,000 new homes in the South West every year until 2026.

This provisional housing blueprint, which specifies that 10,000 of the homes should be affordable houses, looks likely to become a reality by the end of 2008 or early 2009.

Mr Wallace told councillors: "You do need to consider the people who do not have affordable housing, who will be looking to you in the coming years."

And Cllr Pat Hymers, who ultimately refused to back Mr Wallace's green belt recommendation, conceded: "We cannot shut our eyes and ears as a council to the people we all represent, who are waiting desperately for some glimmer of hope, for somewhere to live."

She called for the exploration of other sites, including some bordering green belt areas.