RESIDENTS' accusations of bullying and intimidation led to East Dorset planners refusing plans to develop green belt land in Corfe Mullen.

Members of the planning committee unanimously turned down the application by Alan Perry to build a house and annexe on land at Blandford Road close to Pardy's Hill at a meeting on Tuesday.

Mr Perry's agent had claimed the land, which had permitted use for storing builder's materials, had become an eyesore in recent years and would benefit from being developed to tidy it up.

Afterwards local residents, who waved placards and read out a statement of protest during the site visit held immediately before the meeting, said they were delighted by the decision.

Resident Tom Gurr said: "This is brilliant - we couldn't have asked for more."

During the debate ward councillor Stuart Hearn told members he had been alarmed by the file of letters sent in.

He said: "Some of the letters of objection used the words 'bullying', 'blackmail' and 'holding residents and local government to ransom'.

"On the other hand many of those in support come from the village - people who live a long way from the site and are not affected."

He also added that talk of the parish council "strongly" supporting the scheme was misleading as the vote had been five to four in favour.

"Hardly unanimous," he said.

He added: "This is a cynical ploy by causing this sort of mess to make people think they would be better off having a house in the Green Belt instead of this builder's yard mess. We should look at enforcement action to clean this area up."

Other members opted for refusal after hearing the Local Plan inspector just two years ago had said the land in question should remain in the green belt for the benefit of the village and not be developed despite representations at the time it should.