HEALTH chiefs have “formally registered concerns” about the impact a controversial housing development could have on NHS services in Bridport.

Hallam Land Management has submitted outline proposals to West Dorset District Council to build 760 homes at Vearse Farm in Symondsbury, as well as a care home, new primary school and space for employment.

But Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has raised concerns with the proposals - believing a “significant” population increase could have an impact on NHS services in Bridport.

Dr Steve Tomkins, GP lead for Dorset CCG, said: “This development when completed will impact on the NHS resources within the Bridport locality. This increase in population is significant and we will need to fully evaluate the impact on the local NHS resources in terms of the primary and community care.

“Should this planning application be successful, we would request that as part of any S106 agreement that a financial contribution is provided to fund additional NHS infrastructure.“In order to fully detail the financial contribution we would need to assess the impact on all NHS services and undertake feasibility studies to assess how this increase in NHS infrastructure can be delivered.”

In December, Bridport Medical Centre wrote to planners to say that concerns over staffing and surgery capacity had not been resolved. The surgery currently caters for more than 18,000 patients. A spokeswoman for the medical centre did not wish to comment, but confirmed it was in discussion with the CCG.

A Bridport councillor has raised concerns a new development could put more pressure on GPs.

Cllr Ros Kayes said: “Obviously 800 extra houses will produce potentially 3,200 new patients. That will make Bridport Hospital more viable but it will put stress on our GPs who are struggling to recruit. I actually think that Vearse Farm will force the CCG not to cut health services in Bridport because they are playing a numbers game and the population of the town will increase substantially.”

Cllr Ron Coatsworth, chairman of the Dorset Health Scrutiny Committee, believes the town would need “more facilities” if the Vearse Farm development was given the green light. He said: “We haven’t been told about the small changes that could happen in Bridport.

“I think if there were to be a larger sort of development which would significantly increase the population here, it would certainly need more facilities. People are worried about it, but we really have to wait and see.”

Cllr Coatsworth hoped to have a clearer picture when the CCG gives a presentation at the Dorset County Council joint health scrutiny committee meeting this afternoon (2).

A spokesman for Dorset CCG said: “Over the next few years we are expecting the number of people living in Dorset to increase by around 50,000 and as the organisation responsible for planning and buying healthcare for people living in the county we need to understand what this means for the local health and care system.

“When developments such as Vearse Farm are planned we will work with our local partners including the local authorities to anticipate demand and respond accordingly. Our letter to West Dorset District Council reflects this.”