Concern over the number of proposed new houses, the importance of independent businesses and car parking, and the need for better paid employment opportunities in Bridport were some of the key points raised in response to Dorset Council's draft local plan. 

A public consultation on the draft local plan – which will shape development across Dorset for the next 16 years – took place in early 2021.

More than 50,000 comments on the separate policies were made by some 6,000 respondents and a summary of these has now been published on Dorset Council's website.

The local plan describes Bridport and the adjoining parishes as playing an "important role as the main service centre" for the western part of the Dorset Council area, with a "significant demand for housing, employment and retail development, including a substantial affordable housing need".

The main development areas for Bridport recognised in the plan include a mixed-use "urban extension" at Vearse Farm, with proposals for a total of 930 new homes – 760 of which have already received outline planning permission – as well as local community facilities and employment land.

Other potential development areas include: 

• St Michael's Trading Estate, with planning permission for 91 new homes and employment land
• Greenfield site adjoining Bridport Community Hospital with planning permission for 53 new homes, as part of a community-led affordable housing project
• Land to the east of Brady Veterinary Centre, off Jessopp Avenue, for 40 potential new homes
• Bridport Gateway Care Village on the former Dorset Council depot off South Street, Flood Lane and the Fisherman's Arms Day Centre to provide care facilities for 25

The local plan also identifies areas for future expansion of the town centre, including land and Rope Walks and the Coach Station car parks, although it recognises the need to retain an appropriate amount of public car parking.

Responses to the public consultation now published on the Dorset Council website include concerns over the level of new housing planned for Bridport.

One respondent commented: "The housing planned for Bridport totals 1,139 dwellings which is 75% of all the houses proposed for the whole of West Dorset. This is a huge focus on Bridport, which is a small market town."

Another said: "The live UK birth rate has dropped 15.3% since 2012 (Office of National Statistics) so it is not clear why we need thousands of new homes in Bridport." 

The Bridport Area Neighbourhood Plan (BANP) was created by Bridport Town Council and surrounding parish councils and accepted following a local referendum in 2020, placing an emphasis on the need for affordable housing. 

One respondent to Dorset Council's consultation said the targets in the BANP had been "woefully missed", while Bridport Town Council called for a "closer alignment" withe the policies set out in the BANP and said it expected all development sites within the BANP area to achieve 35% affordable housing, as set out in its policies.

The issue of low-income employment in Bridport was also a key point raised in the consultation, with several respondents calling for this to be addressed and saying that Dorset Council's vision for Bridport "does not eliminate a low wage problem". 

Many also raised the important mix of independent and national retailers in Bridport, suggesting that the plan needed to recognise and respect this.

One respondence said the number of independent shops and businesses in Bridport "dictated the character of the town" and was a "draw for tourists".

Responding to plans to expand the town centre, possible into the Rope Walks and Coach Station car parks, many called for the current level of public car parking in Bridport to be retained or expanded. 

Several respondents said that public car parking close to the town centre was important for the continued economic success of Bridport, while others recognised the increased need for parking that new housing developments may create. 

One respondent suggested that out-of-town parking solutions may have to be considered in the future, while one argued that increased parking was "unnecessary and will be detrimental to the environment". 

A summary of consultation responses can be viewed here.

Commenting on the responses, Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council's portfolio holder for Planning, said: "Officers have given time to every comment that was received during the consultation. We have been given specific details that will help us formulate the plan.

"We are grateful for everyone who has commented, there are many genuine issues which will be considered going forward."

Although the timescale for the development of the Dorset Council Local Plan has been extended, evidence gathering has continued. 

The Dorset Council Local Plan will outline the strategy for

• Providing the growth Dorset needs
• Locating development in suitable places
• Providing community services including schools, retail, leisure, and community facilities
• Ensuring the appropriate character and quality of development
• Protecting the environment, and
• Acting on and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Full proposals for the Bridport area can be found here.