The handout available at today’s roadshow is as follows……
WHY DOES THE WDDC LOCAL PLAN REVIEW FAIL BRIDPORT?
- HOUSING PROVISION
The West Dorset District Council Local Plan Review (LPR) proposes to build an increased number of houses in West Dorset, from 15,880 to 19,016, which, it states, is an oversupply ‘significantly above’ the ‘objectively assessed need’.
Why do WDDC plan to build more houses than are needed?
The Local Plan Review plans to increase the Vearse Farm development from 760 to 930 houses (including over 4 hectares of business parks and other buildings). The expanded Vearse Farm development comes on top of a number of significant existing and planned developments?
Why is Bridport being overloaded with these developments?
The Local Plan Review admits that ‘the total projected need for affordable housing is not expected to be met in the plan review period. The need for affordable housing is far more important than providing yet more open market houses that many local people cannot afford.
Why is that over a 20 year period WDDC cannot deliver the affordable housing needs which it says is the greatest housing priority?
- BUILDING ON AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY (AONB)
The Local Plan repeatedly says that one of its key objectives is to protect and enhance the AONB.
The Vearse Farm development (just outside Bridport, in the parish of Symondsbury) is a designated area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB).
This is largest development on AONB in the UK ever proposed!
How can building nearly a thousand houses and many hectares of associated buildings be considered to be “enhancing” or “protecting” the AONB?
The VF development also contravenes the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) as the outline planning permission does not state the ‘exceptional circumstances’ needed to support building on an AONB. The planning permission also fails (as required by law) to consider the scope for developing elsewhere outside the AONB or meeting the housing need some other way.
- NOT USING BROWNFIELD SITES
The Local Plan Review fails to make any provision for the investigation of the many alternative brownfield sites available in the area covered by the plan. WDDC are required to keep a register of brownfield sites but make no use of it for the Local Plan when considering alternatives to large developments on AONB (eg Vearse Farm).
Why does the Local Plan Review not consider available Brownfield sites – many of which are dotted around Bridport and in some cases the land is already owned by the Council?
Also alternative models of housing provision have not been investigated, such as eco housing (eg the proposed Watton eco Village (near Bradpole) providing over 250 affordable/shared ownership homes and only 44 open market houses).
Why is the Local Plan Review not truly strategic by including such models for genuinely low-cost housing for sale and rent and making much-needed social houses a priority in order to deal with the housing crisis being suffered by local people?
- TRAFFIC OVERLOAD
Bridport has very poor links to the rest of the world, both in terms of roads and also public transport. The roads and narrow footways barely cope with the needs of the existing population. The highway network in the town and its approaches suffers serious congestion much of the time. Car parking is limited and often at full capacity. Maximising safe sustainable modes of transport, walking and cycling, is not a practical option.
Where in the Local Plan review are there proposals for substantial investment in Bridport’s road network and car parking facilities and ensuring that house building is in line with the character and capacity of the town?
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WE HOPE YOU SHARE OUR CONCERNS ABOUT THE LIMITATIONS IN THE LOCAL PLAN REVIEW AND THE DETRIMENTAL IMPACT OF THE LARGE SCALE VEARSE FARM DEVELOPMENT ON BRIDPORT.
IT IS VITAL THAT THE PEOPLE OF BRIDPORT HAVE THEIR SAY BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. PLEASE TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE YOUR CONCERNS AT THE ROAD SHOW OR ONLINE (LINK PROVIDED BELOW).
ADVEARSE TEAM
Advearse contact details:
See and respond to Local Plan Review online: