COUNCILLORS have objected to plans to convert an industrial building into six new homes.

Montpellier Developments Ltd has applied to West Dorset District Council for permission to transform the James building into six two-bedroom homes in North Mills Road, next to the River Brit.

Bridport Town Council's plans committee objected to the proposals, labelling the plans overdevelopment, and raising concerns about the parking and access to the homes.

Resident Paul Taylor spoke out against the plans in the public forum, calling the parking proposals "totally impossible to use".

He said: "The major outstanding issue is parking. Where are the existing residents going to park?

"This application has to allow parking, not just for six new houses but for existing houses. Six is just too many when you take parking considerations into account."

Cllr Dave Rickard said the access and parking proposals were "ridiculous".

He added: "There's a car parking space in front of the bridge. Although that's not a road, it's presumably for emergency access.

"I think in terms of access, in front of these buildings is a public footpath and that is used for access through the North Mills Estate. If they are going to come out of there, that's just overcrowding, it's just ridiculous.

"They are putting six houses in there and then not providing enough parking for them."

Leader of the council and chairman of the plans committee, Cllr Sarah Williams, also spoke out against the plans.

She said: "I think it's an improvement on the last application, but my feeling is that they are trying to cram six units into this. In my mind, it's overdevelopment of the site.

"They are putting parking spaces and blocking somebody's access which is not acceptable. I think the parking situation is highly unsatisfactory."

The developers' design and access statement, states: "It was considered the most viable option for the conversion of the buildings was to construct a terrace of six two-bed chalet style homes that retained the existing original visual extents of the James building whilst maintaining a height conducive to the existing.

"The homes will be accessed from the public footpath to the South through openings within the existing workshop wall which will be retained and reduced in height. Access will be via a stepped approach through individual south facing private courtyard gardens to a covered porch.

"The courtyard gardens will also accommodate a storage shed and hardstanding for refuse bins. New parking will be formally laid out within the cul-de-sac, providing designated parking for the new homes, existing residents, subject to discussion, and visitors, whilst allowing the required area to turn a standard refuse vehicle, although we believe a smaller vehicle is used."

Dorset County Council's highways team offered no objection to the proposals, subject to conditions.