HUGE swathes of Poole could be out of bounds to developers due to the threat of flooding related to climate change.

With sea levels predicted to rise significantly in the next century, prime development hotspots such as the town centre, Hamworthy and Creekmoor are considered high-risk for flooding.

As part of its Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA), the Borough of Poole admits development in these zones is likely to be blocked.

A recent application for a maisonette in Green Road, in Poole's Old Town, was objected to by the Environment Agency on flooding grounds, seemingly setting a precedent for the future.

Developer Dave Wells, who made the Green Road application, said: "This could be devastating for a lot of people.

"If climate change really is going to have this much of an impact, it could have an impact on building in the whole of Poole town centre and in areas such as Sandbanks."

Areas allocated as flood zones two or three are those at highest risk.

In its SFRA, the council concedes applications in these zones are "unlikely to be determined favourably".

In the town centre, between 501 and 1,000 properties have been identified by the Environment Agency as at risk of flooding in the future.

Between 201-500 properties are deemed under threat in three other areas - Creekmoor, Hamworthy and Canford Magna.

Mr Wells added: "If parts of Poole are at risk of floodwater, that could be a lot of land underwater."

The Environment Agency says a "broad brush" is needed to try and find room for developments in safe parts of town.

Peter Watson, head of planning, design and control at the council, said the SFRA did not mean areas of Poole were off limits but instead needed appropriate flood protection.

He said: "We will work with developers to ensure that adequate measures are in place to mitigate the risk of flooding.

"Such measures include increasing ground levels of developments and making sure flood defences are in place.

"We are working closely with the Environment Agency to look at ways of allowing development to go ahead in sustainable locations while ensuring they are protected against the risk of flooding."