The West Dorset District Council have now released their Officers Report on the current proposal for the Demolition of 40,000 sqft of working business premises, and the erection of 105 dwellings at St Michaels Trading Estate in which a refusal for both applications have been recommended.
According to Hayward’s + co’s proposals, 64% of the commercial area to be demolished would not be replaced, which is considered by WDDC’s officers to be likely to cause an overall loss of employment on the site, contrary to planning policies and the SWQ Regeneration Framework.
Four of the buildings marked for demolition are recognised as ‘Heritage Assets’ and “their cumulative loss would result in substantial harm to the character of Bridport’s Conservation Area, which would not be mitigated by any public benefits to the scheme as a whole.”
The officers reported; “the proposed mix of affordable housing does not meet the identified need within Bridport” and “the new housing provides an uncharacteristically poor living environment.”
The report was made after 595 responses to the applications were received, only 8 of which are recorded to be in support, leaving almost 99% in opposition.
Friends of St Michael’s spokesman Andrew Leppard commented;
“Many of us are very relieved on this occasion to see that the District Council has recognised the genuine concerns expressed by both Bridport residents and professional institutions such as English Heritage and Bridport Town Council, many of which are based on either planning policies or plain common sense. However, the final decision is yet to be made on Thursday.
High density urban housing is simply not appropriate in a Conservation Area, nor on a working trading estate. This historic employment site is now well overdue for some upkeep and could easily provide more trade, commerce, attractions to visitors and employment to serve Bridport’s needs as a coastal market town.
But as tenants, whatever the outcome, I believe the great majority of us remain very grateful to Clive Hayward for his positive input and consideration over many years.”