CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 33 homes on a greenfield site in Bridport have been recommended for approval by West Dorset District Council.

Developers Chesters Commercial submitted proposals for homes at Watton Park, next to Bridport Leisure Centre, which is currently owned by the Palmer family.

Chesters said the site is well-connected to community facilities, and added they would promote alternative forms of transport like walking and cycling.

Outline permission for the scheme has been recommended for approval at today's (27) meeting of West Dorset District Council's development control committee. The approval would be subject to conditions including that 11 of the properties would be affordable housing and that almost half a hectare would remain as open space.

In a report to councillors, the authority's housing enabling officer said: "The provision of affordable housing on this site would help to address the pressing need for affordable housing within the town of Bridport and the wider district."

The development would be built within the West Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and was met with objections by Bridport Town Council and Symondsbury Parish Council.

Cllr Amanda Streatfeild, chairman of Symondsbury Parish Council said: "I think it is a very visible site on a hill.

"I know the inhabitants of Watton Park have concerns about extra traffic and the visibility of the site on the green belt.

"There certainly is a great demand for affordable housing, but there is no guarantee that this development would provide that necessary housing. I don't think this is the right site."

More than 900 households in west Dorset are registered as in affordable housing need. Of these, 211 have a connection to Bridport.

A legal section 106 agreement would require the developers to make 35 percent of the homes available as affordable housing.

In a report to councillors, case officer Joanne Langrish-Merritt said: "It is considered that the proposed development, would be acceptable, subject to conditions, in terms of the impact on the residential amenity of the area, impact on the AONB and visual amenity of the locality, highway safety, and surface water drainage."