PLANS to build a "co-housing" community in Bridport have been recommended for approval by council officers.

The proposals from Bridport Cohousing Community Land Trust (CLT) would see 34 houses and flats built next to Bridport Community Hospital at Mead Lane, subject to approval of West Dorset District Council's development control committee.

Councillors will consider the plans at a meeting on Thursday (11) afternoon, which also includes a common house and a car park.

Case officer Debbie Redding has recommended the plans for approval, subject to conditions including that 35 per cent of the homes are available as affordable housing.

In her report, Ms Redding said: "The proposed development would result in some landscape harm to the AONB. However the provision of a sustainable co-housing scheme in a sustainable location on the edge of Bridport is considered to outweigh this harm. 

"The benefits of this scheme include the provision of housing with an acknowledged need in terms of affordable units and also support for the co-housing neighbourhood with its own particular style of occupation and management. This would be of social benefit providing a sustainable community as well as of economic benefit to the construction industry and local businesses."

Ms Redding added: "The design and layout has raised concerns with some of the consultees; however a number of aspects are inherent to a co-housing scheme and would be overcome in the management approach to the development.

"The layout of the dwellings being remote from the parking areas and the communal facilities associated with the co-housing philosophy are not as would be expected in a conventional housing scheme but these are not considered to be reasons to refuse planning permission."

Bridport Cohousing CLT is pleased the proposals are coming before the planning committee, after a seven-year campaign.

Monica King, chairman of Bridport Cohousing CLT, said: "We are so pleased to know that our application is going to the development control committee, and especially pleased to hear that it has been recommended for approval. 

"Our many supporters in the town will know that we have been working on this scheme for seven years, so this is the culmination of many hours of work and planning by many people. 

"From the comments that local people sent into the planners we know that many people in Bridport welcome our innovative scheme for two particular reasons. People clearly welcome the building of 34 homes for affordable rent and purchase. But many Bridport residents said that they also welcome the vanguard model of a socially interactive, affordable and sustainable way of life our scheme will offer residents and the wider community. 

"We very much hope the Committee will welcome our scheme too."