AN angry campaigner has called Purbeck council's online housing consultation "labyrinthian and almost impenetrable" branding the process "skewed."

Robin SeQueira convenor of the LYMPWatch - Lytchett Matravers Planning Watch campaign group - has hit out at Purbeck District Council's public consultation on future housing development in the district - which ends on Friday.

The consultation is part of a partial review of the Purbeck District Local Plan Part 1, which was adopted by Purbeck District Council in 2012.

The council is asking residents for their views on options for locating some 3,080 additional homes by 2033 - over and above the 2,520 already identified in the Local Plan.

Options on the table include 1,000 homes at Wool, 650 homes at Lytchett Minster, 205 homes at North Wareham, 500 homes at West Wareham, 330 homes at Lytchett Matravers and 100 homes at Upton. Many have proved highly controversial.

But Mr SeQueira said the online process is "tedious and off putting." He added: "It seems to me that if anything was designed not to engage with the public this is it.

"One has to wonder if this has been done deliberately in order to limit the number of responses by creating a labyrinthian and almost impenetrable document.

"If anything it disenfranchises the public and dissuades one from engaging with the process."

"Yes we can write a letter expressing views, but surely the Council has a moral and legal obligation to make this ultra important exercise user friendly, easy, clear and responsive."

He added: "The process is skewed in order to obtain a predetermined outcome."

A council spokesperson said: “We have received many online responses. However, we are aware that some people have had difficulties completing the questionnaire.

“We are keen that anyone who wants to have their say is able to do so. Officers are happy to talk people through what to do and we have also produced a guide to help with completion of the form. We do appreciate that not everyone feels comfortable submitting responses online, so we are also happy to receive emails, letters and handwritten copies of the form.”

The consultation began on June 9 and ends at 4pm this Friday. Households in Purbeck received a leaflet detailing events taking place around the district, and full consultation materials are online. Paper copies are available at libraries, and can be obtained for £10.