MARSHWOOD Vale councillor Simon Christopher is giving up his role as chair of the area planning committee to concentrate on problems locally arising from the A35.

He will also no longer sit as a member of the Dorset Council audit and governance committee, although will remain a Dorset councillor.

He says he will miss the leading planning role, but not having the post will also allow him to speak out on local issues.

“It was particularly pleasing chairing the planning committee where members of so many political parties so often reached unanimous decisions,” he said.

“I will be spending more time on matters relating to the A35 road that passes through the Marshwood  Vale Ward that I represent on the Dorset Council.

“The two villages on the A35 include Morcombelake where I and others have seen safety improvements after five years  of working with Highways England.

“Most importantly I will be working with Chideock Parish Council  and residents of that village to address problems arising from the A35. These problems include, primarily pollution, but also lack of pavements, insufficient numbers of pedestrian crossings, lack of safe cycle route into Bridport etc. I continue to work with Highways England in respect of the problems in Chideock.”

Cllr Christopher was the only member to vote against the 1,000-home Vearse farm application when it came before the former West Dorset District Planning Committee for outline planning.

“I believe that fresh eyes should look at this when it comes back before the Dorset Council Western and Southern planning Committee as a detailed application .

“I am conscious  that the proposal is deeply unpopular in the Bridport area given the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and issues over transport.”