THE controversial Talbot Heath development has been called in by the Secretary of State and is now headed for a public inquiry.

The move has been welcomed by the RSPB, who were among wildlife experts who lobbied for the plans for 450 student units and 378 homes in Poole to be called in.

Secretary of State Eric Pickles has now announced that the proposed development on farmland on the border of Poole and Bournemouth, raises issues of more than local importance.

“We are delighted,” said Tony Whitehead of the RSPB, who heard the news in an email from the Government Office for the South West.

“This is good news and very sensible of the Secretary of State. We applaud him for making this decision.

“This is a special site. We said all along it’s a special site and it’s going to get the scrutiny it deserves,” he added.

The application was approved by Poole planners in June but attracted widespread criticism from residents as well as wildlife experts.

They feared the proposed development would cause permanent damage to a key heathland habitat, which is home to a variety of birds and animals.

However Borough of Poole argued that with appropriate mitigation, which included a cat-proof fence and investment of £1.2 million and 26 acres of farmland converted to heath by Talbot Village Trust, objections could be overcome.

But nature conservationists say the no-build zone within 400m of internationally protected heathland is sacrosanct and its importance “beyond question”.

Bournemouth council, Natural England and Conor Burns, MP for Bournemouth West, all requested the matter be called in for a public inquiry and representations were made by the RSPB, Dorset Wildlife Trust and others.

The Talbot Village Trust believed the final approval should be left to Poole council. No date has yet been announced for the public inquiry.