A COUPLE have vowed to fight plans for three sets of traffic lights outside their home.

Under recently approved plans to revamp the former Dormy Hotel site in New Road, Ferndown, Graham and Janet Sutcliffe will have signals opposite and to the left and right of their bungalow.

Mrs Sutcliffe, a resident of 15 years, said: “We’ll be effectively trapped in our own home. How will we be able to get out or in? Friends won’t be able to call.

“We’re not Nimbys, we liked the development there. Living near it was a choice we made. But we haven’t chosen this.”

The Sutcliffes, who were away throughout May on holiday, say they saw no notification about the proposed lights.

Under planning rules, only the nearest properties receive letters. They live four doors down from the Dormy.

“The simple truth is we didn’t know,” Mrs Sutcliffe, a former teacher, said. “We were totally unaware of the traffic lights and we’re the ones most affected.”

East Dorset planners say they exceeded statutory requirements in publicising the planning application and a number of residents came to view the plans and submit comments.

Steve Duckett, head of planning and health, said: “The council is confident it gave local residents every opportunity to have their say on the development.

“The exact details are yet to be agreed by the county highways officers and this may have a bearing on the final positioning of equipment.”

Ferndown Town Council also held two public meetings. Town councillors are calling on Dorset County Council, the highways authority, to meet with the Sutcliffes.