The former Mountjoy school has started to be demolished to make way for a new development.

Plans for 38 retirement flats on the site got the go-ahead in September after its application was approved by Dorset Council.

Applicants McCarthy and Stone say the development - which also includes communal facilities, car parking and landscaping - would enhance the settings of the listed buildings around the site.

Its heritage statement said the development proposals have been designed carefully to take full account of the local context while retaining sufficient scale for sustainability and viability.

"The new building is of high design quality and materials. It respects the locality, and particularly the nearby listed buildings.

"The proposals will make a substantial positive contribution to the area and will not detract from or harm the listed buildings or their settings.

"On the contrary, compared to the current state of the site, and taking the local context of Sidney Gale House and the day centre into account, it is suggested that the proposals will enhance that the proposals will enhance the settings of the listed buildings."

Bridport Town Council had raised concerns that no affordable element was included in the proposed development and the "equivalent contribution calculated by the developer is not sufficient to compensate for the affordable accommodation that could be incorporated into the proposed development".

The town council also felt the "need for the development had not been properly demonstrated, given that other existing developments are not yet fully occupied" and it would not meet the needs of local residents".

More information on the plans can be found here