REGIONAL plans for the future development of Christchurch have been met with a mixture of relief and disappointment at the Civic Offices.

The panel which heard last year's long-running examination in public of the south-west regional spatial strategy published its findings recently.

For Christchurch, at the south-eastern extremity of the region, which stretches from Lands End to Chewton Bunny and north as far at Gloucestershire, the spatial strategy blueprint for the next two decades sets a target of 3,450 new homes in the borough.

While the majority are expected to be provided through in-filling and redevelopment of the existing built-up area, some 600 new homes are earmarked for greenbelt areas on the outskirts of the town, with land between the railway line and A35 looking vulnerable.

The good news for Christchurch is that, unlike all other Dorset districts, the borough's housing target has not been increased since the draft spatial strategy was drawn up in 2006.

And sacrificing some of its precious greenbelt may not be all bad news for Christchurch and its residents struggling with some of the highest property prices in the country.

Leader of the council Cllr Alan Griffiths said: "While we accept the need for growth, we have always argued that the high quality environment in Christchurch and the lack of availability of development sites justify less growth than elsewhere."

"We are encouraged that our views have been taken into account and are relieved that the independent panel has agreed that the housing figures should not be increased further.

"The report still includes a 600-home urban extension around Roeshot Hill in the housing figures and, while we are unhappy about the loss of some of our open spaces, this will at least provide the opportunity for more affordable housing to be built."

But Christchurch council's call for a lower threshold at which developers must include an element of low-cost homes was not accepted by the panel, although its report proposes an overall increase in affordable housing provision.

Borough planners are also disappointed that, although lifting the greenbelt status of industrial land surrounding Bournemouth Airport, the panel did not recognise the strategic importance of the area in meeting employment demand and attracting funding for infrastructure.

Instead the panel ruled that a long-awaited direct road link from the A338 spur road should be privately funded as a planning condition of any future development at the airport.

And hopes of winning an outer relief road for the town centre have receded with heathland and the Avon Valley specifically singled out for safeguarding under the spatial strategy.