Hazel Blears gives go ahead to 48,100 houses in our area

11.05.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 28th Jul 2008

The Government has gone ahead with proposals to build 48,100 new homes, after the Secretary of State Hazel Blears dismissed claims South East Dorset could not sustain such high levels of house-building between now and 2026.

The Examination in Public's recommendations for the area were upheld by the Government - meaning Bournemouth's house - building target will stay at 16,100, Poole's at 10,000 and Christchurch's at 3,450. The heavily disputed proposals were also not reduced for West Parley, Corfe Mullen and Wimborne with 2,400 houses to be built, Lytchett Minster and Upton with 2,750 and the rest of Purbeck with a figure of 2,400.

Annette Brooke MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole said "The battle has now got to reach new heights. All is not lost but we can't underestimate how difficult it is going to be. Campaigners now must use the 12 week period of consultation to put forward detailed, evidence-based arguments as to why the figures should be reduced. It is important that all individuals concerned about the impact of these developments do make representations." She added "At the end of the day I just don't believe that there is a need for all these houses. It's not addressing the needs of our local young people."