To discuss acceptance of the Hallam Land Group planning application on Vearse Farm !
Location; Symonsdbury Primary School.
Dates for your diaries……
Don’t forget the two meetings at the Town Hall, Bridport on Friday 6th November (17.00 to 19.00) and Saturday 7th November (10.00 to 15.00), to discuss the Neighbourhood Plan. Steering Group representatives will display information on the working groups.
Monday 9th November (at 19.00), Bridport Town Hall to discuss the Hallam Land Group planning application.
VEARSE FARM –IMPORTANT MEETING !!
Hallam Land have now submitted their application for Outline Planning Permission . It will be considered by WDDC in January.
However there is an important meeting of the Plans Committee of Bridport Town Council . This will be held at the Town Hall at 7.00 on Monday 9th November . There will be an opportunity at the start for members of the Public to speak.
If you wish to speak phone to request a slot 01308 456722
It is really important we get a good turnout here. BTC would like to see a strong presence . With organisations such as Highways England, Environment Agency and CPRE all raising significant objections to outline planning permission we are not alone and need to give every encouragement to BTC to reject the plan.
Please forward to anyone else you think would be interested .
Highways England object to Hallam Land planning application…..
ADVEARSE tell it as it is……..
My letter in this weeks View from Bridport….
Please feel free to write into the paper next week and endorse it !
“In light of last weeks West Dorset planning meeting, councillors were given a briefing on the Vearse Farm application for guidance when it comes before committee next year
We at ADVEARSE are totally in agreement for promoting the allocation of building land in Bridport and its environs for low-cost housing. We do however, object to an additional tranche (65% or greater) of higher cost, market driven housing, typically 500 dwellings on Vearse Farm if approval is granted.
The demographic for this area is currently skewed , in that the majority of residents are at the higher end of the age spectrum. Any development in Bridport and the outlying villages needs to redress this balance and encourage less fortunate and younger members of our society, gaining the option of ascending the housing ladder. This will only be achieved by implementing low-cost housing.
We were very concerned that the Hallam Land Group have implied that the allocation of 260 affordable homes, 35% (or less) of the total build of 760 would be assessed on the basis of viability as reported in your paper previously. Originally, the Local Plan indicated that a minimum of 35% affordable’s would have been mandatory. This was changed by removal of the word minimum, after the Inspector, Paul Crysell had published his comments recently, as part of the Main Modifications of the Local Plan.
We are totally committed to the campaign that the current aforementioned size and positioning of the Vearse Farm development as proposed, is undesirable to Bridport. Furthermore, its effect on the environment, road infrastructure and culture etc. are detrimental to the locale.
These criteria will all be seriously considered, and alternative options sought accordingly, as the local Neighbourhood Plan (Vision 2030) develops and is delivered, over the next fifteen months.
We feel it is of significant importance that like-minded residents register their lack of support of this development accordingly, using the link…….
http://webapps.westdorset-weymouth.gov.uk/PlanningApps/Pages/Planning.aspx?App=WD/D/15/002010
The closing date being, 27th October 2015.”
Richard Freer
Vearse Farm planning application submitted by Hallam Land Group !
Please note there are about 70 documents to peruse in this application.
There is an option to comment on this development, simply scroll down and click on make a comment.
Closing date is 27th October
http://webapps.westdorset-weymouth.gov.uk/PlanningApps/Pages/Planning.aspx?App=WD/D/15/002010
Town Mayor deems Vearse Farm and Watton Park as unwanted !
In this weeks Bridport News (p21) Bridport Mayor, Cllr. Sandra Brown has spoken out against the Watton Park and potential Vearse Farm developments.
She is quoted as saying, “We don’t have the infrastructure, schools, medical centre and above all the road system”.
Neighbourhood Plan (NP) meeting at West Bay
A meeting organised by West Bay Community Forum will be held at The Salt House, West Bay on Thursday 3rd September at 7.30pm.
A guest speaker will talk about the NP. WDDC and BTC representatives will also be present.
Hallam Land presentation at BTC
Hallam Land will be attending and presenting at the Town Council’s Plans Committee meeting at the Town Hall on Monday 7th September at 7pm.
Local Plan press release
INSPECTOR GIVES DECISION ON WEST DORSET LOCAL PLAN
https://www.dorsetforyou.com/InspectorsReport/West/Weymouth
ADVEARSE today expressed deep disappointment at the decision by the Inspector to agree to the Local plan for West Dorset as proposed by the District Council.
The plan includes a proposal for over 760 houses at Vearse Farm in Bridport.
ADVEARSE has consistently opposed the development on the grounds that such a rapid and large scale expansion of Bridport is inappropriate considering the character and size of the town.
A spokesperson stated ‘this decision has nothing to do with the needs of Bridport and everything to do with meeting a fictional national housing target. We have warned that the development will create severe problems with traffic and parking in the town and increase the threat of flooding’
The Inspector has acknowledged these concerns but then states that exceptional circumstances justify building in this Area of Outstanding Natural beauty . What he has failed to do is to explain what these exceptional circumstances are.
ADVEARSE recognises the need for more low cost housing for local families. It is supporting the Neighbourhood Plan which is being led by Bridport Town Council. The spokesperson added ‘We strongly believe that local people should have the lead role in deciding how much development should take place and where and when it should be built. Our MP Oliver Letwin is on record as saying that he would not support any development until the Neighbourhood Plan had concluded its work.
The ADVEARSE website (https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-vearse-farm )has a link to an online petition which together with a paper petition has amassed over 1400 signatures against the development. The spokesperson added ‘We are constantly being contacted by people who are opposed to such a major development and as the letter page in the local press shows our concerns are shared by many people.’
The Government talked up the concept of localism – but this decision is simply a victory for the developers and nothing to do with the needs and wishes of local people. ADVEARSE is urging people to contact their local councillor to express concerns.
ADVEARSE will formally ask the District Council not to adopt the Plan. Undoubtedly we now await a planning application. ADVEARSE welcomes comment and suggestions via its website about how the potential next stages can be most effectively challenged.