MEMBERS of a business group have quizzed a firm on plans to develop a busy trading estate in Bridport.

Bridport Business Chamber welcomed Martin Ridley of Hayward & Co to speak about an application to refurbish St Michael's Trading Estate. Mr Ridley led members through the history, background and current application for the future of the town centre site as part of the consultation process is being undertaken prior to submitting the latest development plans.

Richard Smith, president of Bridport Business Chamber, said: "It is important for local businesses to stay up to date on the future position of one of Bridport's most important commercial zones.

"We were delighted to welcome Martin to our meeting."

Members and guests turned out early for the meeting and enjoyed a full English breakfast at The George Hotel in West Bay. Questions put to Mr Ridley included concerns around ensuring the plan includes affordable housing for locals and rental units for businesses and the process in place to help business owners through any changes.

Mr Ridley explained that for Hayward & Co, the last 10 years have included some considerable challenges and resistance to plans, including the retrospective decision by English Heritage to list one of the buildings as Grade II, which prevented the planning authority from signing off their approval in 2012.

As part of his presentation, Mr Ridley showed members a number of architect’s drawings and impressions to give attendees a feel for the approach that was being adopted architecturally and from a town planning point of view.

In September, Mr Ridley presented the proposals to members of Bridport Town Council. Mr Ridley said: “We are almost ready to submit the amended application. We have been thinking quite hard about this issue about how development links in with conservation and how we can achieve the right balance and it is quite a difficult thing to do.”

In 2008, plans were submitted for 105 houses and 47 flats, in 2011 69 houses and 35 flats and in the 2016 plans, there are proposals for 51 houses and 44 flats with one parking space per residential unit.

The business uses would all be confined to B1 class use - which means some current companies - such as West Country Cleaning and Waste - would not comply and have been told they will need to leave after their tenancies expire.

Bridport Business Chamber meets every month in Bridport and regularly holds networking events covering topics and presentations of interest to local businesses. This month's networking lunch will take place on Wednesday, November 16 and will be hosted by the Sir John Colfox Academy. The session aims to explore opportunities for strengthening links between the school and businesses. For more information please visit bridportbusiness.org.uk or email info@bridportbusiness.org.uk