STEPS are being taken to develop and regenerate a trading estate.

Plans to demolish part of St Michael’s Trading Estate in Bridport to build 83 new homes and refurbish the remainder of the estate were approved more than a year ago, and representatives of Hayward & Co, the firm which owns and manages the estate, say the scheme is ready to move on to the next phase.

A report is set to go before Bridport Town Council's planning committee on Monday, asking councillors to consider proposals from Hayward & Co to establish a community liaison group 'to ensure ongoing two-way communication between Hayward & Co as owners and managers of St Michael’s and key community representatives' as the development progresses.

The report states: "Hayward & Co has been preparing plans for the development and regeneration of St Michael’s Trading Estate (and therefore a major part of Bridport’s South West Quadrant) for some 15 years. During that time, it has consistently presented to the county, district and town councils the view that the development and regeneration of St Michael’s presents a significant opportunity to not only enhance the estate but provide it with a sustainable, long term future.

"Following the granting of outline planning permission and listed building consent last July, the scheme has finally moved onto the next phase. It is now proposed to establish a community liaison group to ensure ongoing two-way communication between Hayward & Co as owners and managers of St Michael’s and key community representatives."

The purpose of the liaison group, according to Hayward & Co, would be to be updated as work progresses on finalising outline plans, preparing detailed drawings, preparing project management and phasing plans with West Dorset District Council, the Environment Agency and other government bodies as well as to provide input, ideas and suggestions 'in areas of the scheme that have the most

impact on the community and which will impact on the town environment and the public realm.'

The firm is hoping the group will be made up of one representative each from the Neighbourhood Plan steering group, the Chamber of Commerce and Bridport Heritage Centre. It has also suggested there be at least two tenant members who are current tenants on the estate who will aim to represent the views of their neighbours. The town council will be offered the opportunity to have two members - one councillor and one officer - and West Dorset District Council would be invited to send a

representative.

Bridport Town Councillors will discuss proposals to set up a community liaison group at its meeting at Mountfield on Monday at 7pm.