RESIDENTS are fighting back against a proposed major development which they claim will have a devastating effect on surrounding heathland in Poole.

The application, which was first mooted around a decade ago, could see 450 student units and 378 new homes built on land south of Wallisdown Road which is currently fields and farm land.

The site, owned by the Talbot Village Trust, falls within the Natural England 400-metre protection zone designed to protect heathland against the effects of urbanisation.

The plans would accommodate housing, student accommodation, a playground and public area and 3,500 square meters of academic space. Around a third would be reclaimed and managed heathland.

Veronica Trevett, of Winston Avenue, said that the area is popular with families and dog walkers.

Wildlife, such as deer, kingfishers, moles and lizards, is often spotted in the area, she added.

She said: “We are calling on the council to uphold the Natural England 400m zone. In my view if they don’t, it will set a precedent.”

The proposals include a green buffer zone and a cat-proof fence as well as heathland improvements including restoring an area of grazing land to heathland.

Nick Squirrell, conservation adviser for Natural England, said the site borders on heathland which is an Area of Special Scientific Interest and also has three international designations.

He said: “When you have large numbers of houses near to heathland there is a whole lot of activities that people use heathland for – for instance, the fires that happened last year.”

It could set a precedent which would be “very much a concern”, he added.

Pat Haskell, 65, of Winston Avenue, said: “I accept that people have to live somewhere but these places are green areas and getting less and less.”

Peter Edwards, 62, of Cornelia Crescent, said: “I take my granddaughter for walks across the heath. A couple of months ago we were walking there and we saw a deer.”

The application is expected to come before the Poole planning committee in March.

A public meeting to fight the proposals takes place at 10am on Saturday in the car park at the bottom of Mayford Road, Talbot View.

No-one from the Talbot Village Trust was available to comment.