A new community group, dedicated to protecting the fields at Happy Island from development is holding its first public meeting on Wednesday 8th of February at Bradpole Village Hall at 5-6:30pm. The area was saved from development in 1989 when the planning inspector stated: “I have formed the view that the proposals would cause unacceptable harm to the landscape. Consequently, I consider that they would neither preserve nor enhance the appearance of the AONB. Furthermore, if housing development were permitted on this site, I consider that the council could be subjected to further pressure to similar development in the vicinity, whose cumulative impact on the AONB would be very serious.” This was after more than 300 local residents and councillors (including then and current representative for Bradpole, Ron Coatsworth) had objected.
The Farmer’s Club charity which owns the land has used the opportunity of a new local plan consultation to push for development again.
Chris Savory, one of the founders of the new action group said:
“Nothing has changed since 1989 to make this area, which is dear to the hearts of the people of Bridport, suitable for development. In fact the Bridport area has see extensive development in this period of getting on for 2,000 new homes, way ahead of national rates of development, so there is no justification at all.”
Contact Chris at: chris1savory@aol.com; or on 01308 421124
What You Can Do
1) Please contact the three local district councillors who represent those of us most affected, and ask for their support in opposing the inclusion of the field in the new district plan as an area for possible development – you can use the ‘reasons to oppose development’ sheet to help with reasons why:
Ronald Coatsworth
District Councillor for Bradpole Ward (this includes the field itself)
Home address: 2 Beaumont Avenue, Bradpole, Bridport DT6 3AU
Tel: (01308) 422923
E-mail: cllrr.coatsworth@westdorset-dc.gov.uk
Keith Day
Councillor for Bridport North (The other side of the river and the houses that look at the field)
Home address: Delapre Lodge, St Andrews Road, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3BG
Tel: 01308 425465
E-mail: KeithADay@aol.com
Ros Kayes
Councillor for Bridport North Ward (two councillor ward).
Home Address: 4 Gore Terrace, Bradpole, Dorset. DT6 3JD
Tel: 01308 427902
Mobile: 07920 850167
E-mail: roskayes@gmail.com
2) Register your interest with West Dorset District Council:
Ask to be kept informed about the new district plan and any consultation events
Strategic Policy (West Dorset)
Email: strategicpolicy@westdorset-dc.gov.uk
Tel: 01305 252386
3) Tell your friends and neighbours about the issue and ask them to contact chris1savory@aol.com or to ring 421124 to be added to our mailing list
4) When the draft district plan is made public in May/June be ready to write and object to the inclusion of the field in to the development area. If we can get hundreds of objectors contacting the council we are likely to win the argument.
5) Write to local papers: View From at: pemedia@pemedia.co.uk
Bridport News: postbag@bridportnews.co.uk or 67 East Street Bridport DT6 3LB
6) Join the core group who will be planning activities and starting to campaign.
What is the current situation?
The last attempt to develop this field was in the 1980’s, and after a series of applications and appeals, the local people won a decisive victory, and this kept the field free from development threat for 30 years.
The current West Dorset District plan was adopted in 2006, and this field was designated as outside the development boundary, and therefore safe from development. This plan should have been in place until 2016.
The recent threat to this field started in 2008 when it was included in the
Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) that the previous government required all councils to carry out in order to identify sites for future housing development. At the same time, Local Plans were to be scrapped, removing protection for the field.
The general election and new government led to a change of policy. Instead of scrapping Local Plans, district councils must make new plans (even as is the case here, there was a perfectly good one in place). This plan must be in place by 2013, or local people will lose influence over planning decisions.
West Dorset District Council has responded by setting in motion the process for a new Plan. Consultations were held in autumn 2011, and now a draft Plan is being written.
During the consultation it became clear that WDDC had retained the sites previously identified in the SHLAA as possible sites to include in the new Local Plan. The Happy Island Field is one of these sites that would lose the protection of the current development boundary if included in the new Plan.
The draft Plan will be made public from May 2012 onwards. We will have the chance then to object to the field being included as a development site. The final plan will be adopted in 2013, and considered by a planning inspector. If necessary, this will be another opportunity to fight against the inclusion of the field.
If enough people are willing too object to the inclusion of the Happy Island Field as an area for development in the new Local Plan, we can preserve it as an important open space for the next generation to enjoy.
