The public is invited to have its say on two major developments.

Two issues are to be considered by Bridport Town Council this month.

On September 18, Dorset County Council representatives will share their plans for development sites at Flood Lane and the Fisherman’s Arms.

Town clerk Will Austin said: “We know how important these sites are to the town, and we’re pleased that we’ll be getting a progress report along with an opportunity for public input.”

Developer McCarthy and Stone has acquired an interest in land at the former Mountjoy School site on Flood Lane. The site could be redeveloped with approximately 41 one and two-bedroom retirement living apartments.

County councillor Jill Haynes will lead the presentation at a meeting of the full town council at Bridport Town Hall from 7pm.

No planning application has been submitted, but Mr Austin says it is a good time for local involvement. “This is a chance for the local community to help develop the county council’s ideas, and to say what we want to see happen at the two sites before a formal planning proposal is made," he said. "I hope residents will come along and take advantage of the opportunity.”

Separately, the town council’s planning committee is set to hear about another high profile local issue.

A meeting of the committee on September 24 will include a presentation by the team hoping to build up to 285 ‘smart eco-homes’ at a site at Watton Hill.

A team has spent a year working with a local landowner on plans to build 215 rented homes which, it says, will be affordable, 44 shared ownership homes and 24 homes for sale at the foot of the hill, which lies in the parish of Bradpole.

Mr Austin said this was another chance for the town to get involved. “The site isn’t in Bridport parish, but the proposals have caused a lot of local debate and could have quite an impact on the town," he said. "The ideas haven’t reached the planning application stage yet, and I would hope the developers will use this meeting to listen to the comments, questions and concerns of the public before going any further.”

The planning committee will meet at 7pm on September 24 at the town hall.