Bridport Town Council is encouraging residents to give their views on future development in Dorset.

Dorset Council has published a draft local plan for the area, which sets out future plans for housing, employment and community services, including schools, retail, leisure and community facilities.

Once the plan is in place, it will guide what gets built and where between 2023 and 2038.

The plan also has the potential to help address the climate emergency, protect biodiversity and improve transport provision, but the town council says this will only happen if local people respond to a consultation launched on January 18.

Town council leader, councillor Dave Rickard, said: "The draft plan is 600 pages long and not the most riveting read for many, but it is a vital document that will affect us all for 15 years from 2023.

"If we want to see better housing, better transport, better facilities, and a zero-carbon future for Bridport, it's up to all of us to tell Dorset Council by responding to the consultation."

The draft plan includes policies on housing, the environment, the economy and community infrastructure that will set planning requirements for every planning application - large or small - in the Dorset Council area.

The plan also includes a Bridport-specific chapter that will guide the expansion of the town centre and the delivery of housing in other developments at Vearse Farm, St Michael's Trading Estate, land north of Bredy Vets, Flood Lane and Fisherman's Arms, and other key sites in the area.

Deputy mayor Cllr Sarah Williams, who is leading a town council working group looking into the plan, said: "We will be analysing the plan in fine detail and will respond on behalf of the Bridport and West Bay community, but we urge everyone else to have their say too.

"We know that most people won't read 600 pages but please respond to the parts that are important to you, including the pages about development in the Bridport area that can be found in the western area section of the development.

"There is also a webinar about this area at 12noon on Thursday, February 4 to find out more."

Town clerk Will Austin said: "It's a big ask to get people involved, but if developments such as Vearse Farm taught us anything it's that the community needs to have its voice heard in the local plan so that planning decisions reflect local views.

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