BOURNEMOUTH council is being urged to get straight to work on a "master plan" to build homes on green belt land.

Councillors, already furious at the recommendation that at least 1,500 new homes should be built on undeveloped land at Throop and Holdenhurst, are now being told they must not delay preparation work.

The government-appointed panel, which made the recommendations following a 10-week hearing at Exeter, said councillors must make sure the new housing developments were "sustainable".

The report states the green belt development must be "planned and developed as sustainable communities, which deliver a high quality of life through high standards of design and access and lowest practicable levels of energy and car use."

It adds they should also "protect and maintain environmental assets and landscape setting, avoid areas susceptible to flooding, reflect the heritage and provide the appropriate physical and social infrastructure."

But it is claimed this will be virtually impossible in north Bournemouth, especially as the panel's report failed to address the issue of improvements to the local infrastructure, stating it was "inappropriate" for them to get involved in this subject.

Cllr Nick King, cabinet member for communications, said: "If north Bournemouth is eventually developed it will be vital that the necessary infrastructure is provided.

"This is especially true of the road network which is already struggling to cope with the current volume of traffic, especially along Castle Lane."

Cllr Ron Whittaker, who represents Throop and Muscliff, said: "The infrastructure is the biggest headache we have got. Schools, medical facilities, roads, water and sewage pipes, leisure facilities, open space - all these issues will have to be addressed."

And Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood pointed out that much of the area in question was susceptible to flooding.

"Following increased spates of bad weather, how irresponsible would it be to build 1,500 new houses in north Bournemouth, on a flood plain?" he asked.