THE expansion of Bridport town centre and identifying housing and other development sites around the town are examined in a planning blueprint for the future.

Bridport Town Council is now urging residents to give their views.

Dorset Council has published a draft Local Plan, which sets out future plans for housing, employment, and community services including schools, retail, leisure and community facilities.

Once in place it will guide planning applications from 2023 to 2038.

The plan includes a Bridport-specific chapter, which will guide the expansion of the town centre and the delivery of housing and other developments at Vearse Farm (760 homes consented with potential for more), land east of Bredy Vets, land to the west of the hospital, the ‘Gateway Care Village’, and St Michael’s Trading Estate.

Two possible sites have been identified for town centre expansion – the car parks at Rope Walks and area surrounding the Tannery Road Bus Station.

There are also chapters about Beaminster and Lyme Regis.

The plan could also address the climate emergency, protect biodiversity and improve transport provision, but Bridport Town Council has warned residents this will only happen if local people respond to a consultation which is running to March 15.

Council leader Dave Rickard said: “The draft plan is 600 pages long and not the most riveting read for many, but it is a vital document that will affect us all for 15 years from 2023. If we want to see better housing, better transport, better facilities, and a zero carbon future for Bridport, it’s up to all of us to tell Dorset Council by responding to the consultation.”

Deputy Mayor Cllr Sarah Williams, who is leading a town council working group looking into the plan added: “We will be analysing the plan in fine detail and will respond on behalf of the Bridport and West Bay community, but we urge everyone else to have their say too. We know that most people won’t read 600 pages but please respond to the parts that are important to you, including the pages about development in the Bridport area that can be found in the Western Area section of the document.

“There is a webinar about this area at 12pm on Thursday 4 February to find out more.”

Town Clerk Will Austin said: “It’s a big ask to get people involved, but if developments such as Vearse Farm taught us anything it’s that the community needs to have its voice heard in the Local Plan so that planning decisions reflect local views.

"Even if you don’t have time to read the draft plan, write to Dorset Council with your views on the climate emergency, housing, transport, the local economy and local services, and ask that they be taken into account.”

The consultation will last until March 15 and can be accessed online - visit bit.ly/39UZ0Hg. There are paper copies available for loan at libraries through their click and collect service.

Responses can be submitted online at https://dorset-self.achieveservice.com/service/DCLP, by email to planningpolicy@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or in writing to the Planning Policy Team, South Walks House, Dorchester, DT1 1UZ.