PLANS to preserve Bournemouth’s environmental heritage are hoped to become enshrined in council policy.

Deputy mayor Councillor Phil Stanley-Watts is calling for anyone who submits a planning application to consider the effect it will have on the environment.

His campaign has now been backed by Cllr Ron Whittaker, and the chair of the planning committee, Cllr Dave Kelsey, has voiced his support.

The Conservative councillor said: “We should be trying to preserve and protect Bournemouth’s precious habitats, and I think that should start at the planning stages.

“I am a long-standing member of the RSPB and it’s so important that we conserve what we have in this town.”

Cllr Stanley-Watts raised the issue at a meeting of the planning committee on Monday.

He said he hopes the plans will be taken on board by the council and made a condition of future applications.

“I imagine councillors will use their common sense for smaller applications where this isn’t a factor, but it would be good to see this made a part of everything submitted to the council,” he said.

“Bournemouth is a garden city. “It is known across the world for its beautiful gardens, and this is something that should be encouraged.

“I hope that we could start protecting the wildlife and habitats of this town, and in particular our bee population, as this is declining throughout the country.”

The committee gathered on Monday to hear representations about the multi-million-pound Nautilus dev-elopment, spearheaded by Trevor Osborne.

Cllr Stanley-Watts said: “The Nautilus development does complement the gardens, which was always very important to us.

“I really believe that we should be encouraging planners to think about the impact that they might have on the environment.”