PROTEST groups have launched a campaign against government plans for nearly 50,000 new homes in South East Dorset, which they say would be a "tragic attack" on the area's green belt.

Hazel Blears, secretary of state for communities and local government, has backed plans for 48,100 new homes across the conurbation, with 7,250 earmarked for green belt land, 2,750 of which would create a new town at Lytchett Minster.

The consultation period runs until October and the South East Dorset Defence Consortium has been established from seven community action groups, supported by councils, MPs and the Dorset branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Cllr Nick King, Bournemouth Borough Council's cabinet member for communication, said: "We want to ensure that a common, robust message is sent from South East Dorset to the secretary of state."

The group argues that no council asked for a new town; that families want houses when many flats are planned; that the infrastructure could not cope; and that there is no cash for improvements to roads, schools and health provision.

Terry Stewart, president of Dorset CPRE, added: "This central government dictation, which totally ignores the research and evidence produced at the public inquiry, is a tragic attack on the environment and distinctiveness of our beautiful area."

A communities and local government spokesman said: "The South West has a real housing issue - it is the only region with above-average house prices and below-average incomes."

He said more than two- thirds of the growth would be in urban areas.

He added: "The independent panel found exceptional circumstances for making some alterations to the three green belts in the region to allow for some urban extensions."

SEDDC is producing a guide on how to object and action events are planned.