A COLEHILL field is the first in Dorset to offset the impact of development on heathland.

Bytheway Field, off Leigh Road, became the first Suitable Accessible Natural Green Space (SANG) when it was unveiled at an official opening last month.

SANGs are designated areas of green space intended to mitigate for the potential impact of housing on nearby heathland.

The sites are funded by developers either directly or through the Heathland Mitigation Fund.

Bytheway became a SANG following a £322,000 investment from Charles Church and Persimmon Homes as a result of the housing development on the former Flight Refuelling site, once owned by Cobham, in Wimborne.

The money was used to keep the space open, build a play area and cover maintenance in the future.

It also covered 3,000 metres of pathway suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, and development of the 37-acre site, managed by the district council.

Leader of the council, Councillor Spencer Flower, said: “It has been designated as a SANG because it is a site where a large number of visitors will not have a detrimental effect on the biodiversity of the green space.

“We are proud that this is the first SANG to be provided under the Dorset Heathlands Planning Framework.”

The framework is a temporary measure taken to manage pressures on the heathlands resulting from development.

District council chair, Cllr Lucy Clark, planted an oak tree to mark the official opening of the field.

She said: “I am sure this Bytheway SANG will give many generations an immense amount of enjoyment from walking dogs, watching the herons on the lake or just simply having a great time in the children’s play area “I have no doubt it is going to be very successful and extremely well-used.”