PRESS RELEASE FROM ADVEARSE

WEBSITE LAUNCHED – APRIL 2014

ADVEARSE has announced the launch of its website.

http://advearse.org.uk

A spokesperson said ‘we have developed the site in response to the many requests we have received asking us to do so’.

The site gives the background to the establishment of the group to raise public awareness of the massive development proposed in the West Dorset Local Plan for the Vearse Farm area of Bridport. There is the opportunity for people to post comments on the site. The site has been developed by Roger Goudge who commented ‘the site is an early stage in its development and we will expect to build the content over the coming months’.

ADVEARSE is monitoring the growing number of similar protests across the country and believes the website will alert to the many people across the country who enjoy the area round Bridport and who will be shocked at the prospect of such a glaring scar on the entrance to the town.

ADVEARSE can also be contacted via the e-mail address

ADVEARSE@aol.com

ADVEARSE welcomed the decision of the Planning Inspector to hold a preliminary meeting to explore his concerns about the West Dorset Local plan. We would like to congratulate both the Inspector and the Council on the organisation and conduct of the meeting.

The concerns raised in the meeting justified our decision to raise our own concerns about Vearse Farm. It became clear in the meeting that the Council has worked out a figure of Housing need for the District as a whole. It does not have an accurate evidence base for how many houses are actually needed in Bridport. The 800 houses are merely a very convenient contribution to the District requirement. The meeting also confirmed that the prospect that 35% of the houses at Vearse Farm will be ‘affordable housing’ is a pipe dream. We would urge local people not to be misled into supporting this scheme in the vain hope it will help local people to get houses.

ADVEARSE supports the position of Bridport Town Council that housing development in the town should be closely linked to the development of employment opportunities. Development should be on a scale and at a pace which reflects the character of a market town and its outstanding natural setting. ADVEARSE can be contacted by e-mail at ADVEARSE@aol.com

Any questions about this Press Release to Barry Bates:
01308 425519
badbates@btinternet.com