New homes plan deadline arrives

Housing targets have been increased across the region

Bournemouth residents are being urged to lodge their opinions about government plans to build 16,100 new homes including some on greenbelt land.

The 12-week public consultation on the The Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) will end on Friday.

Under the proposals, 1,500 of the houses will built on greenbelt land in the borough by 2026.

The borough council is opposing the plan because of the "impact" it will have on residential and green areas.

It is important that residents in Bournemouth are made aware of the serious impact these plans will have on their local area as well as quality of life Councillor Nick King

Councillor Nick King, the council's cabinet member for communications, said: "These figures are impractical and unrealistic and more worryingly are being imposed on us.

"This is not about us saying we do not want to build new homes but rather that we would like to be in control over how many we will build.

"It is important that residents in Bournemouth are made aware of the serious impact these plans will have on their local area as well as quality of life and that is why I would urge residents that it is not too late to make their views heard through the public consultation."

A total of 48,000 new homes must be built in south east Dorset, the government has said.

Both the South West Regional Development Assembly and eco-campaigners have objected to the targets.

The RSS applies to Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire.