Councils are calling for clear information and an 'exemplar development' at Vearse Farm.

The controversial development at the site on the outskirts of the town received outline planning permission for 760 homes in May 2019.

Bridport Town Council and Symondsbury Parish Council have established a stakeholder group to liaise with developers of the Vearse Farm site.

The Vearse Farm Working Group includes a range of local organisations, and at a meeting on April 9, they were introduced to the developers of housing and other infrastructure at the site, Vistry Partnerships and Barratt & David Wilson Homes.

The developers confirmed that, of the 760 homes, at least 266 will be affordable. Vistry will build 120 of these, and Barratt & David Wilson the remainder. Under the terms of the planning permission already granted, 186 of the 266 homes will be for affordable rent and 80 will be for affordable sale. Vistry Partnerships intend to deliver an additional 36 affordable homes in partnership with the Registered Provider, increasing the overall number to just over 300 homes, about 40 per cent of the total.

The working group also heard that work is due to start on a new roundabout on the A35 at Miles Cross (Symondsbury) junction in January 2022, marking the start of the wider development. Roadworks are likely to take 26 weeks.

The developers also emphasised the benefit to the local economy, including employment and training opportunities, and a willingness to engage with Bridport Area Community Housing, a newly formed community land trust which aims to build 50 homes. Overall, the development is expected to support over 2,000 jobs, 400 training weeks, and approximately £6.5m of investment in the Bridport area.

Other aspects of the development to be delivered by Vistry and Barratt & David Wilson include a new primary school, orchard, allotments, cycle routes and footpaths. There will also be financial contributions towards local services including £225,000 for additional facilities at Bridport Medical Centre.

Detailed planning applications are expected as soon as August 2021 and the working group will engage on issues of design and compliance with local planning policies to ensure the best possible fit with Bridport's unique character.

Bridport town councillor Dave Bolwell, who chairs the working group, said: "We're encouraged by the initial engagement with the developers and we know there's a lot of work ahead to achieve a development that will prove to be an exemplar for rural market towns in the 21st century."

David Matthews, land director at Barratt & David Wilson Homes said on behalf of the consortium of developers: "We are delighted to commence our engagement strategy on Vearse Farm Bridport with the working group. The consortium and its professional team take engagement very seriously and look forward to working with the local community to deliver this exciting development."

Symondsbury parish councillor, Pelham Allen, said: "We welcome the early engagement with the developers on this transformational project, which will provide much needed affordable housing for local residents, as well as improving the attractiveness of Bridport and its surroundings."