CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 760-homes at Vearse Farm could go ahead now that the Highways Authority has withdrawn its objections.

Dorset County Council’s highways authority has given Hallam Land Management’s plans to build 760 homes, a new school and a care home in Symondsbury the thumbs up - to the outrage of campaigners who say they have been let down.

The U-turn comes after the authority received revised transport plans and a transport assessment which it deemed to be ‘safe and robust.’

Earlier this month, Bridport town councillors objected to the amended plans, which focused in particular on pedestrian and cycle links on to West Road, Broad Lane and Magdalene Lane and two vehicular accesses from the B3162.

Campaign group Advearse, which has been fighting against the development since 2015, has previously warned of traffic problems it believes the homes will cause.

Campaigners have long had concerns about existing traffic issues along the B3162 into West Street and claim the proposed development would ‘exacerbate’ them.

But the Highways Authority has considered a transport assessment, in which it is proposed that there would be two primary vehicular access to the site provided via a new priority junction onto the B3162.

A spokesman for the county council said: “To sum up, the county Highway Authority considers that the submitted transport assessment is satisfactory and robust. Whilst it is accepted that the proposal will obviously increase traffic flows on the highway network, the impact of the development cannot be thought to be ‘severe’, when consideration is given to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

“All of these matters have been carefully considered by the Highways Authority and, following the submission of revised and updated information, there are no reasons for objection.”

The Highways Authority’s decision is subject to a series of conditions.

A spokesman for campaign group Advearse says Bridport residents feel let down by the council’s decision.

The spokesman said: “We are not very pleased and we feel very let down.

“Our main objection was the entrance and exits onto the B3126 as the increase in traffic will exacerbate the problem that is already there. There could be fatalities, perhaps. The issue doesn’t seemed to have been solved.

“We understand there is a pressure from central government to build more houses but we feel this development is excessive and there are not enough facilities to cope. 760 houses are not needed.”

The group has compiled a dossier of concerns which will go to all West Dorset District Councillors ahead of their meeting in October.

The spokesman added: “We must work towards the outline planning meeting and we will be continuing the fight.”