Localism Act could be used to halt heathland sale

A public auction for an area of protected heathland could be halted if the site is registered as a community asset, an MP has said.

Conservationists and politicians are hoping to save 110 acres of privately owned land at the centre of Upton Heath Nature Reserve in Dorset amid fears it could be quarried.

The site, which is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, is being marketed with planning permission for mineral extraction ahead of the auction on 29 April.

MP Vikki Slade said she had written to Dorset Council asking for the land to be registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), which would prevent it being sold for six months, to allow time to raise the funds.

Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) said the plot had previously been part of the nature reserve, which it manages, but the lease had been terminated by the landowner.

The charity has so far raised more than £66,000 of the £300,000 to £500,000 guide price and said it was "absolutely bowled over by the fantastic response" after receiving £30,000 in the first 24 hours.

In a Facebook post, Slade, who is MP for Poole and North Dorset, said: "We're challenging to see how we can protect it and we may have found a route.

"The Localism Act means that an area of private land or buildings can be secured for the public.

"If we can register this land as an Asset of Community Value, it would stop any sale for six months.

"It would mean we would have to raise the money, but that would give us the time, so I have written to the council to see if we can start that process."

In an update on Tuesday, Slade told the BBC: "I have formally asked Dorset Council to register [the land] as an ACV and suggested that either Corfe Mullen Town Council (CMTC) or DWT could be the organisation named in that application.

"I have since confirmed with CMTC that they are securing agreement of their town councillors for this submission to be made."

Liberal Democrat Slade met with members of Dorset Council, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council and Dorset Wildlife Trust on 2 April to discuss options, including the ACV bid, public fundraising and potential financial contributions from both councils.

She has also launched a petition to "demonstrate the scale of public concern" which will be submitted to Parliament after the Easter recess.

Dorset Council confirmed it was in discussions about the heath but said it could not give further details.

CMTC has been asked to comment.

DWT CEO Brian Bleese previously said it was "vital" to secure the land.

"Upton Heath is incredibly important. If it was lost for minerals, it would be devastating – it would be a disaster," he said.