Bridport Town Council has given its support to the development of eight affordable homes in the town centre, but wants them to be more energy efficient.

The application for the homes at The Coal Yard in Rope Walks was discussed by the council's planning committee and they asked Paul Hoffman, of CG Fry - which is building the homes in partnership with Hastoe housing association - if solar panels could be added.

However, he explained that CG Fry does not put solar panels on its developments.

He said: "By the time you have produced them, fitted them to the house, they are not that sustainable.

"We don't fit them on our developments, the housing association hasn't requested them on the houses.

"As great as solar panels are viewed, they are not the most attractive things in the world and once you stick eight solar panels on top of the roof in a conservation area and around listed buildings, it doesn't look great."

Cllr Julian Jones responded that it was "a pretty ridiculous explanation" of why a developer would not put solar panels on homes.

"We've got a climate emergency, we need to change our form of electricity generation as soon as possible," he said. "It's absolutely ridiculous to be putting up new houses, which could easily have solar panels installed on the roof at very little cost at all.

"Unattractive - what a load of nonsense. How unattractive is a planet going to be when it's partially underwater and burning up? I think it's a disgrace that Frys can take that approach."

Mr Hoffman said the costs to install solar panels on the homes could be around £50,000, which would make the development unaffordable.

He said: "I understand we are in a climate emergency; I understand in an ideal world let's stick solar panels on every house.

"Frankly developers don't do it because we don't have to. As long as we are compliant with the building regulations, we are compliant with government regulations.

"We exceed the minimum insulation we require; we have very good air-tight properties and they are easier to keep warm. The need for a solar panel is less so."

Cllr Dave Rickard said the committee's main objection was that there appears to be "no attempt to future-proof the homes" in terms of low carbon usage as he said gas was going to be phased out.

He said: "Affordable housing isn't just affordable to buy, it's affordable to use as well.

"It's almost worth more to people to live in a house that doesn't cost much to run, wages are low in Dorset."

Despite the homes not being built with solar panels, the development - which includes five two-bedroom homes and three three-bedroom homes with associated parking - received praise from members of the committee.

Cllr Sarah Williams said: "I think this is a very good-looking development - it's in the centre of town, there's one parking space for each, they've all got a bit of private land, the houses look well-designed and a good layout.

"I feel this is a scheme that's really good for Bridport and I think we should support it but maybe persuade you to have another look at solar panels rather than putting in a gas supply."

Mr Hoffman said he would take the council's comments back to CG Frys and Hastoe, but could make no promises.

The development has so far received three comments of support on Dorset Council's planning portal, but concerns have been raised about whether the homes will be affordable.

Bridport Town Council's planning committee voted to support the application and requested a condition be included to secure the development as affordable housing in perpetuity and there be consideration of future-proofing of energy requirements to meet energy conservation targets, including the phasing out of gas.

Permission for the application, which can be found here, will be decided by Dorset Council.

Hastoe housing association was contacted for comment.

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