INVESTIGATIONS have started into the suitability of a plot of land in Corfe Mullen for development and locals fear it could prove devastating.

Developers have commissioned a hydrology study into land at Pardy's Hill, sparking fears it could be a potential site for the 680 new homes being demanded by the South West Regional Assembly.

East Dorset District Council has confirmed Pardy's Hill as the most likely location for development.Meanwhile a highly-organised campaign is under way to try and stop proposed urbanisation of the village. Campaigners say the development would ruin the beauty character and heart of the village.

A team of volunteers, led by Barry Wilson has already knocked on more than 1,000 doors to rally objectors and plans to get to the remaining homes in the village before mid March.

A website gives information for protestors and wildlife expert Jane Staples is researching the ecological impact the homes would have.

The village is home to six Sites of Special Scientific Interest and local residents claim to see deer and badgers regularly.

Objectors are also concerned about the impact hundreds of extra residents would have on schools, doctors , dentists and other services. Barry said: "Corfe Mullen is already full up."

Brian Lane, who is also running the campaign against development, said: "The traffic at Wyn Green Roundabout is bad at the moment, people already have trouble getting to work - hundreds of new houses would make it even worse.

"If they do put the houses at Pardy's Hill the road will become a bottleneck and traffic will cut through the village

"I treasure our view, I love it - that's why I bought this house.

"We should keep Bournemouth and Poole as our urban areas and treasure the countryside in between. Corfe Mullen is a precious rural area, once it is removed it will never come back.

"There is no employment here - with the new development people won't have a choice but to commute to work.

"That commuter traffic would pass sites of special scientific interest at Waterloo Road because it is not logistically possible to accommodate all the traffic at Pardy's Hill."

To volunteer to help with the campaign visit our "how can I help?" page