Pressure rises over proposed development of Talbot Village in Poole

The protests over the weekend against the proposed development of Talbot Village is not as obvious as some of the local residents would have you know.

The official planning application for the land south of Wallisdown road is due to be heard by Bournemouth council this afternoon, and Poole council - who make the final decision on it - at the end of next month.

The issue is clearly not black and white though. Whilst local residents are entirely within their rights to protest against the loss of what Cllr Phil Eades called "the last green space between Poole and Bournemouth," the development of 450 new student units and 378 new homes - 40% of which are designated affordable housing - could most certainly be understood as a step forward for the area.

A previous application for the development failed due to a lack of planned expansion of the local sewage system, but this is part of a wider issue that the development would bring, and doubtless what underpins what most of the locals are angry about; they don't want more people there. And in particular the sort of characters that affordable housing attracts.

Whilst few could argue with affordable housing in principle, the local Chairman of Talbot Village Resident's association Victor Sears conceded that local residents with young children didn't want more students in the local area.

Of course with around 800 new people in a relatively small area, it is entirely debateable whether the existing schools and doctors surgeries in the area could cope with such a large influx.

All of these logistical issues ignore the real bone of contention to many though; namely the heathland which adjoins the private land owned by the Talbot Village Trust.

Natural England guidelines say that there must be a 400-metre protection zone for this heathland, and the development looks as if it may encroach on this - potentially damaging the habit of protected species such as warblers and nightjars.

Dorset residents, like those in many other rural counties, are eager to protect their local wildlife and the scenery that gives the county so much of its character. The heath is fantastic for walking dogs (and children) and is difficult to not enjoy.

The problem though, so far as the council is concerned at least, is that the land planned for development is owned privately, and so long as the planning application submitted by the Talbot Village Trust is in order, there seems to be little that these protestors can do.