Dibden Bay is flat, featureless and unremarkable and does not deserve to be in the proposed New Forest National Park - so said a landscape expert at the mammoth inquiry into plans to build a container port on the site.

The hearing at Southampton's Eastern Docks entered its 75th day by launching Topic 11-Landscape and Visual Impact of Associated British Port's scheme for a £750m terminal covering more than 200 hectares of open coastline on Southampton Water.

In the hot seat this week is strategic landscape planner Martin Kelly.

Mr Kelly was unimpressed by any claims that Dibden Bay was a haven for wildlife and nature lovers.

"The Dibden reclaim is man-made land devoid of visually significant vegetation, open, flat and featureless," said Mr Kelly.

"Its physical condition is poor, no topsoil other than a thin organic layer.

"It does not exhibit any key characteristics associated with the New Forest.

"I found it somewhat surprising that the Countryside Agency should propose including Dibden Reclaim within the proposed national park.

"The reclaim fails to meet the two main criteria required for its inclusion - natural beauty and opportunities for recreation," said Mr Kelly, who has been studying the proposals on ABP's behalf for six years.

However, he thought the Bay scored highly as a potential site for port development.

"The location is ideal - sited in a broad valley which provides a remarkably discreet setting.

"The man-made landscape was created specifically for port use and is a suitably flat site in proximity to necessary modes of transportation," said Mr Kelly.

He reminded objectors that, added to the natural screening, ABP's planned buffer zone - with its creek and raised bund - would further shield residents in Marchwood and Hythe from views of the port.

He said: "The biggest visual impact will be from the Southampton side, and we have had fewest objections from Southampton residents.

"The siting of the terminal close to the city would positively contribute to Southampton's urban design strategy - key features of which are tall iconic architecture and the creation of a modern international gateway.

"Tall structures will be needed at the new port, especially cranes, but they will add interest and vitality to the estuary scene.

"Most residents in the area are familiar with waterside development and the Dibden Bay terminal will reinforce the exciting and dynamic appearance of Southampton Docks."

But local resident Phil Henderson, spokesman for Residents Against Dibden Bay Port, begged to differ,.

He said that Mr Kelly was wrong to think that huge 370ft cranes were full of interest and vitality and an asset to anyone's view.

Ramblers' Association spokeswoman Emily Richmond said: "The proposed development will seriously damage the views of the New Forest from Southampton Water, and turn the Bay from a countryside scene to an industrial landscape."