FEARS about jobs and the future of Bridport’s vintage quarter have been raised after new development plans were released.

Haywards and Co invited comments at an exhibition of its new proposals for the St Michael’s Trading Estate after talks with West Dorset District Council.

The plans – including 96 homes, new premises for the BMX Trick Factory and replacement buildings – were welcomed in some quarters.

But others have raised concerns about the potential loss of jobs from businesses affected by the scheme and the impact on vintage, collectible and antique businesses.

Michael Ford, who runs Ruby in the Dust, said: “There are 200-odd people on this site.

“If they lose the jobs then there is no point in building houses because there will be no jobs for the people that move into them.”

He added: “We are not Luddites and know that there has to be change.

“But we have got to keep Bridport’s identity or it becomes a town like Croydon or Milton Keynes.”

Mr Ford fears that new commercial units will be too small and won’t mix with homes. The vintage quarter has taken off over the past five years between the artist and artisan sector and business section of the estate.

Some 20 sellers are based in Les Allees and a monthly vintage market is held. Sharon Bradley and Mike Stokeld, of Old Albion, organise the market.

Sharon said: “I think there is overdevelopment of the residential aspect and they should retain more of the commercial aspect and the small businesses.”

Mike was concerned about the lack of smaller starter units and the knock-on effects to other businesses in the surrounding area if firms went.

He added: “If we take St Michael’s as a whole, it is the largest employer in Bridport with 240 jobs. There is no detail on the differential on what exists at the moment and what there will be.”

Sharon said that they always knew that the site had to be redeveloped but that they didn’t want the sterilisation of another English town.

Glenn Crawford, of Crawford’s Classic Car Care, said that his business could evaporate unless he is found another plot in the development.

He added: “I am worried that large chunks of housing are being put into primarily a trading area.

“It may be difficult for businesses and traders to co-exist.”

Richard Payne-Withers, who has just bought Les Allees, is optimistic about the growing popularity of the vintage sector although he admits taking the complex on was a risk.

Carol Evans, of Evans and Traves Architecture and Town Planning, said they will try to relocate businesses where they can.

“We can relocate the vast majority of the tenants. It is not firm and fixed. We are hoping to be able to relocate as many as possible. What has come out really strongly is people want a lot more certainty.

“We want to work to reassure people that where possible we will relocate people.”

Ms Evans said new scheme had been drawn up to take into account previous concerns – including dropping the height of a building.

She added: “We were very pleased with the attendance to the consultation event.

“Broadly, the responses that we received were positive.

“We are now working our way through the comment sheets that people kindly filled out and considering the responses received.”

The Friends of St Michael’s Trading Estate are also concerned about the future.

A group statement said: “The employment provided by the St Michael’s Trading Estate is vital to the economic prosperity of Bridport as a whole and surely a priority in the current economic climate.”

It added: “The Art and Vintage Quarter is now one of the most thriving areas of Bridport and that any new plans should be building on what's already working.”

The group said that the quarter has hit upon a winning formula recognised as a key cultural centre in the region.

Haywards will be making the plans available at St Michael’s Estate for anybody unable to attend the exhbition. Call 01308 423747 for details.

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