Hundreds Turn Out In Protest To Save The Dorset Land

Believed to be the first protest in the historic village of Canford Magna since 1830, the demonstration was against the proposed release of Green Belt for potential development of 650 houses on land owned by Canford School and Cruxton Farm.

Local residents’ action group Save Land North of Merley, are angry and frustrated with Borough of Poole who have proposed this Green Belt land is released from its Green Belt status to pave the way for future development.

A spokesperson for the action group said,“We were delighted with the number of people who turned out today. It’s evidence that local residents will do all that they can to prevent the loss of this Green Belt land and preserve the setting and character of Canford Magna and Oakley Lane areas – both of which are designated as conservation areas by Borough of Poole.”

“Contrary to the February 2017 Housing Whitepaper, we don’t believe Borough of Poole has examined fully all other reasonable options for meeting its identified need for development, such that exceptional circumstances exist to justify releasing this land from its Green Belt status.”

The land, which is being promoted for development by Richborough Estates, forms part of proposed Poole Local Plan being presented to Borough of Poole’s meeting of Full Council with a recommendation for adoption on 13 November. Residents are campaigning to encourage local councillors to either reject the Local Plan as a whole or amend it so it excludes the Green Belt land to the North of Merley.

More information about the action group can be found on social media: facebook and twitter: #savelandnorthofmerley or email: savelandnorthofmerley@gmail.com