Details of Bridport's 760-home Vearse Farm scheme have been unveiled as major steps are taken to progress the controversial development.
The scheme, which the developers are calling Foundry Lea, already has outline planning permission - approved, subject to conditions, in May 2019 - but now approval is sought for the plan details, that is the layout and design.
A new hefty application to Dorset Council from developer Barratt David Wilson Homes, which contains hundreds of documents, outlines the landscape, layout, scale and appearance for the construction of 760 homes, public open space (including play space and landscape planting), allotments, an orchard, a football pitch with changing rooms and car parking, pedestrian, cycle and vehicular links, drainage works and associated infrastructure.
The approved outline plan also included commercial development, a local mixed-use centre, a 60-bed care home and a primary school – but these are not included in this new reserved matters application, as they will be delivered by third parties.
The 40.3-acre site lies on the edge of Bridport within Symondsbury parish.
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The applicant, which urges the council to approve the scheme 'without delay' says the development proposals have been refined through a 'detailed masterplanning exercise and through extensive engagement.
It adds: "The proposals have therefore been formed having a strong regard to the site’s constraints and opportunities, as well as its context."
The 760 residential dwellings proposed are to consist of apartments, terraced, semi-detached and detached properties. The application proposes that 302 of these properties are to be affordable housing.
The application also includes details of its proposed senior football pitch which will include changing room facilities and 22 parking spaces (including one disabled car park space).
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The planning statement for the reserved matter application states that development was considered to have a minor adverse residual impact on heritage sites in the area including Vearse Farm House, Downe Hall, Downe Park and the West Allington and Skilling sub-divisions of the Bridport Conservation Area and Magdalen Farm House. It states that all other impacts were considered to be negligible or none.
Ecological enhancements have also been proposed for the site including a woodland trail and dormice boxes, bat boxes, bird boxes and owl boxes to be included on the site for the provision of local wildlife.
The new more-detailed application also describes the arrangements being made for its Section 106 agreement; used to mitigate the impact of a development on the local community and infrastructure.
The planning statement said the town council intends to, partially using s106 contributions, improve the pedestrian and cycle connections between the application site and Bridport town centre.
Read more: 'Common sense ignored in order to facilitate new development'
The plans has been controversial since they were first proposed and have led to protests, objections and a plea for the Secretary of State to call in the application – which he rejected.
Bridport campaign group, Advearse, lost a judicial review in 2020 - after arguing that the council's decision to grant outline planning permission for the farm was open to legal challenge.
People have an opportunity comment on the application until January 11.
One objection from a resident in Journey's End said: “It should never be built in this location. It is too big. The properties will not be affordable for local people, but for those who live away and will have to drive to work. This will increase pressure on the local road system.
“We do not have the infrastructure to support this many people.”
Find the application online through this link https://planning.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/plandisp.aspx?recno=377403&fbclid=IwAR2s8_w0j5W9b385jodr23pLgzoWVbJtMVd8w0_9laQTY3u6S-S16QkjP7I
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