A COMPANY is urging the community to "work together" to get the best out of controversial plans to demolish part of St Michael's Trading Estate to make way for housing.

Hayward and Co have submitted outline plans to West Dorset District Council for permission to demolish buildings in order to construct 95 new homes. The company claims the revenue created from the housing will fund renovations to the commercial areas of the site.

A previous scheme for the trading estate, which would have provided 104 homes, was given the green light in 2012 - but was shelved after the Lilliput building was listed by English Heritage. A separate new application has also been handed over to planners to convert the Lilliput building into 10 residential units and industrial space.

Buildings earmarked for demolition include the former home of the Trick Factory, as well as premises for the Alleyways and Bridport Discount Furniture - while part of the cattlemarket could be lost. Haywards said there will be space for tenants to operate in the refurbished trading estate.

Martin Ridley, representing Haywards, said: "I think people are worried and fearful that they are going to lose something but I don't think that we will. Something has to change - it's not sustainable for the site to carry on as it is.

"We want to deliver something that works in the community, but it has got to be viable. The worst situation for Bridport is that nothing happens.

"I would urge people to come along with us and let's do it together. It's a delicate balance but we need to work together."

He added: "The only businesses that disappear will be those that have to disappear because the usage is not correct.

"We will have more employment floor space than we have at the moment. Whether that space gets used is not down to us.

"There's a great opportunity here to do something really good. We do not expect everybody's views to line up with ours but it's an indication of how important people see the future of St Michael's."

Community group, Enterprise St Michael's, failed in an attempt to take over the estate from Haywards before the previous application was submitted.

Glenn Crawford, speaking on behalf of the group, said he is concerned about reduced space for traders and potential conflicts with residents. He also raised fears that certain types of traders could be forced to leave the estate.

He said: "Our opinion is that Haywards have tried to cram too much housing into this estate.

"By sticking all of those houses there, it's going to damage what's supposed to be a conservation area. It won't be the same place anymore. They are killing the goose that lays the golden egg. Once they have had housing on it, it can no longer be used again for trading."

He added: "If they continue with the current business model, the place will fall down. It is deteriorating by the month. It's really in a terrible condition.

"It's a popular and necessary part of the local economy but Haywards have not been good stewards of the site."

Members of the public have until March 31 to comment on the plans at dorsetforyou.com