HORRENDOUS: Residents hit out at Vearse Farm plans near Bridport after site submerged by flooding

Hallam Land Management plans to construct 760 homes, along with a care home and a new school at Vearse Farm in Symondsbury, on the outskirts of the town.

But following persistent downpours this week, the proposed site was left waterlogged – fuelling opposition to the plans.

Cllr Dave Rickard said: “From the pictures I have seen, it does look pretty horrendous.

“The open space including the play area will certainly be affected, looking at the images. The drainage of those areas is clearly going to be a problem, as well as erosion that amount of water can cause.

“The water table is very close to the surface. There are a lot of questions that I don’t think the right people have been asking.”

Residents have also raised worries about the suitability of the Vearse Farm site.

Sarah Carney said: “Both proposed access roads to the Vearse Farm development, the only footpath into town and the fields where the care home and industrial units are proposed to be going were completely flooded.

“What will West Dorset District Council’s response to this be?”

Another resident, David Klass, called for improvements to the River Simene to take place before any development.

Outline plans were submitted to the council last year, with the proposals expected to be considered by councillors over the next few months.

Dorset County Council is responsible for surface water management. A spokesman said it was consulted by West Dorset District Council in September and submitted a response in October, which recommended refusal in the form of a holding objection on the basis of surface water management.

“We have subsequently received additional information, which has dealt with many, but not all, of our concerns. Our current position remains unchanged, although we have had no further contact since October.”

The Environment Agency, which is responsible for river levels, also refused to back the plans.

Michael Holm, Environment Agency planning adviser said: “The flood risk assessment does not demonstrate the proposed access routes are acceptable in terms of flood risk.

“Specifically, A clear understanding of the flood hazard associated with the two proposed access roads and river crossings, and clear demonstration that the access routes will not increase flood risk elsewhere, has not been included in support of the planning application.”

Speaking at a public consultation before plans were submitted, Andy Birch, regional manager at Hallam, said: "The flooding is one area we can be really certain about what the existing situation is and what our impact will be and how we address that.

"It is all quite mechanical and Our figures say we will reduce the amount of water released by 60 per cent.”