Residents are urged to have their say on the planning application for Vearse Farm, after plans for Foundry Lea were submitted earlier this month.

Bridport Town Council has published its work so far on the planning application for the housing development on the outskirts of the town and is encouraging the local community to get involved.

The application, which deals with the housing and highways aspects of the development, has been submitted by the developers Barratt David Wilson Homes and Vistry Partnerships and the deadline for comments in January 10.

Town councillors want local people and groups to be able to understand the application and respond, so have published their initial thoughts on the application in a summary video.

Council leader Cllr Dave Rickard, said: "The town council set up a working group last year to engage with the developers, along with key stakeholders including Symondsbury Parish Council, in whose area the site lies.

"We have been grateful for the willingness of the developers to engage with us and have identified some good things in the application, like the affordable housing, provision for cycling, solar panels, electric vehicle charging, and some welcome attention to how the development will look.

"We are however, very concerned that the development doesn't do enough to meet our future environmental needs. We've all heard in recent times about the dangers of climate change and the need to reduce our carbon emissions, and big developments like this are one opportunity to start making a meaningful difference.

"Our hope is that with a strong community response we can achieve some improvements."

Councillors have engaged with other agencies, such as Dorset Council and Wessex Water to press for assurances of the infrastructure surrounding the development - like highways, cycle paths, drainage and sewerage.

Cllr Rickard added: "The outline permission granted in 2019 means that the development will now go ahead, so regardless of whether one feels it is the right development in the right place or not, we all now need to focus on getting the best possible development for Bridport.

"We want Foundry Lea to be an exemplar in design and environmental standards, and a good 'fit' with the town."

In addition to the housing, the development will include an employment site, school, care home, playing fields and a local centre. Further planning applications covering these aspects are expected to follow in due course.

Town clerk Will Austin said: "This is the first of what we expect to be a series of applications for the full development, and we are keen that people have the information they need to ensure they can give their views. We hope our work so far will help."

The town council's draft comments and summary video can be found here.

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