THE heathland itself would be under threat, not just its wildlife, if Talbot Village Trust’s development went ahead, a public inquiry heard.

Nick Squirrell, representing Natural England, one of the main objectors to the development, also poured cold water on the mitigation proposals.

He told the Canford Magna inquiry into the controversial proposals for 378 homes and 450 student units, that the trust’s mitigation proposals would not outweigh the harm the extra people and pets could do to the SSSI.

“Under threat would be the land and habitat itself,” he said.

“It would be subject to damage by fire, trampling and soil erosion and encroachment.”

And at risk would be not just birds such as ground nesting nightjars and gorse-nesting Dartford warblers, but the six species of British reptile and badgers which lived on the site, the hearing was told.

People walking dogs, excrement and predatory cats constituted a danger and he said a proposed buffer zone between houses and heathland would not be sufficient.

“To say damage and disturbance by visitors might be reduced by fencing is unrealistic,” he said. “It’s an open access area.”

Earlier Dr John Underhill-Day, appearing for the objectors on ornithological matters, talked about a cat-proof fence, which is part of the mitigation proposed by the trust.

“In the two examples where we have looked at cat-proof fencing and been in touch with the people who manage it, they have said without electrification it won’t work,” he said.

The trust’s planning application, which includes academic space, was approved by Borough of Poole last year. It was called in by the Sec- retary of State following a request by Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns, and is now subject to a 10-day inquiry.