Bridport development of 33 homes criticised as 'sheer folly'

A planning application has been submitted on behalf of developers Chesters Commercial for land adjoining Watton Park, which is currently owned by the Palmer family.

The scheme would see 22 houses, six social rented houses and five intermediate or 'affordable' houses built on the site, ranging from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses.

Chesters said the site is well-connected to community facilities, and added they would promote alternative forms of transport like walking and cycling.

They said the current application 'responds positively' to advice from a West Dorset District Council planning officer last November, who originally said the application could not be supported due to the environmental impact on the 'elevated and visible' site and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The scheme has caused controversy amongst Watton Park residents, with one saying they will move if the development goes ahead.

Almost a dozen objections have been submitted to the council so far.

One resident said: "The road is used as an 'overflow car park', as is indeed the whole of Watton Park, by visitors to the leisure centre and sports park, and there are problems with large vehicles using Watton Park, for example delivery and collection, emergency services access.

"There are also problems with sewage disposal as one household reported an overflowing manhole, allegedly due to inadequate pipework...and the habitat for bats, foxes, badgers and deer will be destroyed."

Another resident said: "It is inconceivable Chesters Commercial could even consider applying without having checked the problems this will cause.

"This road cannot take more parking, it is far too narrow. It's a wonder there have not been serious accidents before now.

"To even consider adding to this problem we owners experience is sheer folly."]

Despite residents' protestations, the developers assert that a transport assessment showed 'increases in traffic movements associated with the development proposals at this location would be easily accommodated on the highway network' and would have a 'minor adverse impact'.

Additional concerns raised by residents mentioned the proximity of the site to the noise of the A35, an increased risk of flooding caused by poor drainage, and the risk of contaminating water situated under the site.

A third resident disagreed that screening would provide privacy for nearby properties, saying: "The permanent existence of screening cannot be guaranteed once the plots pass into purchasers' hands."

Cllr Peter Smith of Symondsbury Parish Council said: "There are concerns and people have come along to two meetings now to voice their views.

"Some are saying it's very close to their properties, and there are a whole range of other reasons, but it has been generating a lot of discussion in the local area."

Cllr Smith added the parish council will be looking at proposals after the new council has been elected, and said the closing date for correspondence has been extended to May 22.