WILDLIFE bodies who opposed development plans they feared would desecrate “one of the most important wildlife sites in the country”, are delighted it has been thrown out.

Proposals by Talbot Village Trust for 378 homes and 450 student units at Talbot Heath, approved by Borough of Poole’s planning committee, was overturned by Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government following a public inquiry.

While he said development of the site of Wallisdown Road would not have a negative impact on transport, it would on the “integrity of the international sites”.

The highly protected heathland, home to rare birds and reptiles, falls within Natural England’s 400m protection zone designed to protect the scarce habitat. Conservation bodies were among the strongest opponents during a three-week public inquiry.

Natural England’s area manager Wanda Fojt welcomed the decision. She said: “This will help protect one of the most important wildlife sites in the country.

“It also provides certainty for all concerned in this long running case.”

Nicky Hoar, communications officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust said: “This is wonderful news for heathland wildlife. We are very relieved to see this threat lifted and delighted that sense has prevailed in planning decisions that affect vulnerable and precious heathland sites.”

Renny Henderson of RSPB south-west said: “The RSPB and NE highlighted the major risks attached to locating residential housing next to heaths, due to the extra pressure from people, their pets, from fire risk and a myriad of other things.

“If the risks could have been dealt with, then we’d have had no objection. But our key concern was always that the range of mitigation measures proposed by developers to remove this risk, such as ‘pet proof fence’, were simply not adequate to guarantee protection of the site.”

Disappointed Talbot Village Trust trustee James Gibson Fleming said: “We will now review all our options with our planning and legal consultants and make a further announcement in due course.”