CAMPAIGNERS claim changes to the huge housing scheme on the edge of Bridport have not been properly communicated with the community.

Details of the 760-home Vearse Farm development were submitted to Dorset Council at the end of last year from developer Barratt David Wilson Homes.

The scheme, which the developers are calling Foundry Lea, already has outline planning permission - now approval is sought for the plan details.

The proposals outline 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 application process is a lengthy one with many organisations being asked for their views, plus it's an opportunity for members of the public to make a comment.

Campaign group ADVEARSE expressed concerns after the planning application was recently updated with additional documents.

The group says the scheme is of major interest to the community and people must be kept informed.

Updating its application, the developer is making the change of proposing two junior football pitches instead of a senior football pitch. It says this move follows post-submission consultation with Sport England.

The developer also wishes to discharge certain planning obligations contained within the section 106 legal agreement associated with the outline planning permission including matters associated with the landscape environmental plan, phasing and access roads.

Barry Bates from ADVEARSE said a further consultation phase was underway.

He said: "We are disappointed that Dorset Council has not contacted those who responded to the original submission or alerted the community at large to this second consultation. The planners need to recognise the public interest in this application."

Dorset Council did not respond to a request for comment from the News.

In a letter responding to Mr Bates' concerns, planning case officer James Lytton-Trevers from Dorset Council said notices had been posted around the site and in the press allowing a re-consultation of 21 days.

He added: "All previous consultees have been re-consulted. All previous representations would be taken into account.

"We do not notify those making representations of an amended scheme, but I am pleased that you had already heard about it. I put the site notices up myself and I do not consider anyone living around the site would be unaware given the large number that I have posted."

In response, Mr Bates said: "You have done the minimum. Putting up a few notices in the immediate area is to treat this major development as similar to an extension to a bungalow which close neighbours need to be made aware of. The development affects the town as a whole and it is disappointing that residents are having to contact my colleagues and I for information.

"Those making previous representations all submitted e-mail addresses and I fail to see why an e-mail could not have been sent alerting them to the revised scheme along side statutory consultees."