THE lifeblood will be sucked out of Shaftesbury if the government condemns plans for almost 700 new houses.

That's the claim from Cllr Lester Dibben who fears without adequate housing provision, businesses will retreat to more urban settings and stores will go under.

The town council has taken on a barrister to fight its corner and is collecting evidence in a bid to persuade an enquiry in September to grant the proposed Eastern Development.

The plans were "called in" by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister after favour of the regional spatial strategy shifted towards new homes in urban areas rather than market towns.

Cllr Dibben said: "Six years have been spent planning the town based around the Eastern Development.

"At the moment we have a ridiculous situation of reverse commuting because there aren't enough houses. People from urban areas such as Bournemouth and Poole are commuting here to work in factories but the cost of getting them here is prohibitive.

"The new development would bring more than 200 affordable houses.

"We have to do everything we can to support the town.

"Take away the chance of 700 new houses and you lose a lot of people.

"The economy is the lifeblood that holds all our communities together."

Residents and businesses involved with the Shaftesbury enquiry are being asked to come forward to give evidence at the hearing.

To have your say call Shaftesbury Town Council on 01747 852420.