A proposed 'care village' for the town has been generally welcomed by locals – although some concerns have been raised by residents.

Dorset Council encouraged people to have their say on the latest proposals for the Bridport Gateway development in a consultation over the summer.

As well as an online survey some phone-in sessions were organised. Written comments could also be submitted via email.

Dorset Council is working with developers Shaw Healthcare and Morgan Sindall Later Living, and housing provider East Boro Housing Trust to produce plans for the development.

The scheme, at Flood Lane and on the former Fisherman’s Arms site, is part of the council’s Building Better Lives programme which aims to deliver new, high quality accommodation and care services.

The site at Flood Lane aims to provide extra care housing, a new care home for people with complex nursing and dementia needs, a respite care facility, community space and public gardens and green space.

At the Fisherman’s Arms site, a mixture of affordable houses and apartments units could be built, some of which, according to the council, will be targeted for workers in care and health jobs, and some of which will be for people with disabilities. It says homes should be available at a mixture of social rent levels or affordable rents.

A planning application will be submitted later this year.

Following the consultation, the council said there had been a 'great response' with more than 120 comments submitted through a range of channels.

Many saw it as something beneficial and more than half of the responses to the online survey were positive with people happy to see affordable housing being provided for key workers, locals and young people.

Four out of 66 comments raised concerns that the development will 'ghettoise' elderly people in Bridport.

The council said: "We want the development to be the opposite of this. Our key aim is to ensure that those living in the scheme are part of the Bridport’s vibrant community scene. This is why the development will be close in the town centre. We hope that Bridport Gateway residents will help increase footfall for local businesses and, in turn, support Bridport’s local economy."

Meanwhile, some were concerned about the height of the development, its density and whether it will be in keeping with existing buildings nearby. Some said the development should be environmentally sustainable, while others raised concerns about parking and traffic management.

The council said the detailed design and planning process will address these issues.

Feedback from the consultation has been shared with the developers so they can factor views into their designs for the scheme.

Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing said: “Thank you to everyone who got in touch. We have listened to your feedback and have shared it with our development partners so your views can help shape the design of the scheme as it moves forward.”