A PROMINENT Corfe Mullen landowner is being urged to clean up his act following complaints that a piece of green belt land has become a "blot on the landscape".

A growing collection of unsightly storage containers, old lorry bodies and wooden pallets at the Old Builder's Yard in Blandford Road has angered a local resident.

Ted Nelson, from nearby Broadmoor Road, said: "It's terribly sad for the people who live opposite.

"We have one of the finest recreation grounds in the area close by but when you come out you see this awful eyesore. It really must be tidied up."

The complaints emerged as the site's owner, Alan Perry, a former chairman of the parish council, lost his battle to build a block of "affordable" flats on the land.

Last September East Dorset councillors turned down plans for 12 flats in two three-storey blocks on the site.

Now, a government inspector has backed their decision following an appeal by the applicant, East Boro Housing Trust.

Despite the parish council insisting the homes were needed in the village, the plans met with a storm of protest from residents, with around 80 letters being sent to the council.

Objectors were concerned about a proposed new access of Pardys Hill, loss of views, overlooking and potential flooding.

Inspector Martin Bradshaw said the proposal constituted "inappropriate" development in the green belt.

"The appeal site commands extensive countryside views towards the Purbeck Hills and contributes significantly to the environment of the locality, notwithstanding the semi-derelict and unsightly storage containers on the Blandford Road frontage," he said.

"I consider the amount of development proposed would inevitably require structures of substantial scale and bulk and thereby would detract from the openness of the green belt."

Mr Perry said: "That's the second time I've offered them land for free and they've turned it down.

"Sadly, I never get any support from our local district councillors."