The East Dorset Group is presently without a Chairman or Secretary.  In the absence of these two officers, Rear Admiral Dick Heaslip is “holding the fort” and submits this report.

CPRE South East Dorset has been preoccupied by a once in a generation threat - the determination of the District Council to catch up on what it sees as a housing shortfall by building large estates in the green belt. The historic town of Wimborne would see its Northern approaches ruined and its character compromised; Corfe Mullen would lose its recreation ground; the centuries old semi rural village of West Parley would lose its identity under a tide of houses; Verwood, which has suffered over the last 20 years from an over rapid build up without the accompanying infrastructure would have still more of the same.

Over the last 6 months we have been concentrating on helping the public to reply to the Council's ongoing consultation exercise. CPRE has also played a leadership role in encouraging, and in one case helping to found, local groups and residents associations. We will now shift our attention to the forthcoming Council elections in May - an excellent opportunity for getting their attention!

CPRE has also engaged the services of planning solicitors, who prepared an excellent submission to the Council defending the 4 green belt fields in the area that we deem to have the greatest character and landscape value.

In this way we hope to combine an evidence-based defence with a loud public response.

CPRE is short of members who have a little time now and then to give some thought and attention to avoid South East Dorset becoming to all intents and purposes greater Bournemouth. If you would like to help, get in touch with Richard Heaslip 01202 594982 rgheaslip@hotmail.com.

The Dorset CPRE Spring Review 2011 is now available to view online.