LESS than three weeks to go until the start of the appeal into the biggest development in Bridport for 30 years, and Dr Sue Farrant is backing the campaign against plans to redevelop St Michael’s Trading Estate.

Dr Farrant, the Liberal Democrats’ contender for West Dorset at the forthcoming General Election, says she is unhappy with the way that Conservative-controlled West Dorset District Council (WDDC) has behaved over the issue of the South West Quadrant of Bridport, which includes St Michael’s Trading Estate.

WDDC was initially in league with landowners Haywards, until its own councillors rejected what was planned and Haywards then decided to appeal. The hearing will begin at West Bay on January 26.   

Dr Farrant says: “I entirely support the campaign by the Friends of St Michael’s Trading Estate against the current proposals to develop the South West Quadrant of Bridport.

“I believe that any regeneration plan must maintain both the community of small businesses and working artists and an adequately-sized public transport terminal, as well as include other essential community resources, notably the Trick Factory.

“I think the behaviour of West Dorset District Council (WDDC) over this issue has been extremely heavy-handed and it appears to me that a number of important issues which were raised by tenants and residents and by the Town Council have simply not been taken into account.

“I don’t make these comments lightly because I am all too well aware of the need for more housing in the area and the pressure on WDDC to meet government targets.

“However, the inclusion of 100 units in addition to the 70 in the Local Plan seems to me to fly in the face of WDDC’s wider responsiblity to promote the economic, environmental and social well being of the communities it serves. That means taking all factors into account rather than pursuing a single goal to the exclusion of all others.

“I am a great believer in local communities coming together to work out solutions to issues like these and in my experience that is the only way that sustainable outcomes can be achieved.”

For other stories on the South West Quadrant and the Trick Factory, look on this site in the Category called South West Quadrant.

Related posts:

1. South West Quadrant: Appeal is to be heard at West Bay BELOW is the official proclamation about the time and place of Haywards’ appeal...
2. South West Quadrant: fighting-fund update AS OF Friday November 6, £500 has been donated to the Friends of...
3. South West Quadrant: Fighting-fund plea Editor’s Note: This is arguably the most important and controversial...
4. South West Quadrant: “If this development goes ahead, my wife and I will never visit Bridport again” NOT ONE letter sent into the Planning Inspectorate supports the...
5. South West Quadrant: regeneration “worth £5 million a year to Bridport if completed” – or half that? Note: This article is being republished because a mysterious technical...