CAMPAIGNERS protesting against using a nature reserve as a temporary car back claim to have the backing of town centre businesses.

The Friends of Asker Meadows (FAM) carried out a survey in order to gauge business-owners’ opinions on Bridport Town Council’s application to use the showfield part of the site for parking on busy Saturdays during the summer.

FAM claims that 84 per cent of town centre shopkeepers oppose the plans. The survey was carried out by volunteers who are supporters of the group. Each respondent was asked the same questions, and interviewers followed a script which explained the planning application submitted by the town council.

Antonia Phillips of FAM, who herself runs a small business in the town centre, said. “We feel there’s been undue influence on this application from the tourism association and the chamber of commerce. 77 per cent of shopkeepers who were surveyed are not members of either association and the vast majority are opposed to the plan to park on Asker Meadows.”

Dorset Wildlife Trust has also officially objected to the plans - raising concerns the site “could suffer damage” through overuse.

Leader of Bridport Town Council, Cllr Sarah Williams, said: “The town council wanted to use the planning application to get the views of the public and the relevant statutory agencies on using the showfield only for temporary overflow parking on a small number of occasions on busy days in the summer.

"There would be no change to the surface and the field would not be used if the weather was bad. However, as we have always said, we will review the application after the closing date for consultation and consider all the responses.

"I have asked the town clerk to prepare a report on the options, following discussion with the planners, and we will let everyone, including the originators of the petition, know what we propose to do within the next week or so.”

She rubbished claims that the business and tourism associations had influenced the plans.

Cllr Williams added: "I would though like to respond to the comment made regarding the tourism association and the chamber of trade (Bridport Business). Those two representative bodies work very hard to promote the town and represent local businesses but they had no input at all in the submission of this application.”