Campaigners fear a ‘mini-Poundbury’ will be created if further homes are built at a controversial housing development. 


Vearse Farm in Bridport has been identified in a review of the Local Plan as having the capacity to deliver a further 170 homes – as well as the 760 already approved. 


The revised Local Plan, which will guide development in West Dorset and Weymouth and Portland until 2036, has identified three areas in Bridport in total for possible development; Vearse Farm, land to the east of Jessopp Avenue and, to meet predicted town centre expansion, the Rope Walks and Coach Station car parks.


The Vearse Farm development will be phased, according to the report, with the intention of providing in the region of 100 homes a year with an equivalent proportion of employment workspace and community facilities.


But campaign group Advearse, which opposes the development, is unhappy with the idea of the site being extended.


A spokesman for the group said they felt ‘disappointment but not surprise’ at the updated plan. 


The spokesman said: “We would urge everyone to respond to the consultation between August and October of this year.


“One of these [sites] is land adjoining Vearse Farm and, if this plan is adopted, the number of housing on Vearse Farm will increase from 760 to 930. Phrases like ‘mini-Poundbury’ spring to mind. 


“We warned from the start this was the thin end of the wedge. All our arguments against Vearse Farm –increased threat of flooding, problems of access, danger to pedestrians, pressure on parking in town - will be amplified by this proposal. One of the most ironic statements in the new document is one that states that ‘by 2036 the district council will have protected the surrounding area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and flood plain.’


“Although the outline planning permission for proposed development at Vearse Farm was approved in November 2017, the S106 funding agreements are not yet in place. 


“Advearse believes that there are strong grounds for challenging the decision. We hope that people will now see the potential impact of this massive development and realise it is essential to stop the first phase of Vearse Farm. 


“Advearse are preparing the next stage in the campaign and will be looking for community support. We are fighting to preserve the character of our wonderful market town and believe that sites for the necessary affordable housing can be found without the need for a massive development.”


The land off Jessopp Avenue is currently unmanaged waste ground but, according to the plan, has good access to the strategic highway network and ‘could be more productively used.’


The plan recognises there are a number of heritage assets close to, and visible from, the land and that it is visible from the Bridport Conservation Area and opposite listed buildings. It also acknowledges the site is in the Asker river valley, which is an historic floodplain.


The revised Local Plan should be finalised by the end of July, with a public consultation on its proposals taking place between mid-August and October.