Possible focus areas

The questionnaire also asked people to consider and suggest possible areas for development (housing, employment etc.) or areas for protection, as well as opportunities and threats. 

The most common response in terms of areas for protection was green spaces (46 responses).  This included

• Local recreational trails and rights of way
• Askers Meadow, Watton Hill and other green areas within the A35 on the edge of Bridport
• Journeys End, Skilling
• Jelly Fields nature reserve and the green gap between Bridport and Walditch village
• Green fields between Lake Lane and Bothenhampton village
• Green spaces in Bradpole such as Gore Cross, Pageants Close play area, the green area on Wellfields Drive and the fields between Happy Island and Jessop Avenue
• Allington Hill
• Conegar Hill
• All existing play areas and parks
• The community orchard

The need for employment sites were suggested (37 as possible development responses, and 40 as opportunities), with many (19) commenting specifically on the future of St Michael’s Estate for small business units, and tourism (20)

Local cost housing was also a common suggestion (29 responses), with some specific sites mentioned including Vearse Farm, land behind the CAB where the salt etc is deposited, the Mountjoy School site, and the old Magistrates Court

There were a diverse range of ideas, with many linked to making the most of the specific character and heritage of the area, through to more eco/green ideas, and more general ideas such as better shops, parking and employment base.

The main concern (in terms of threats) linked to possible over-development (with a number of comments specifically mentioning Vearse Farm) but this was set against concerns of housing and employment availability.  The loss of young people, due to them leaving the area because of limited opportunities, was also a general theme arising from the comments.  Traffic and parking problems was another common theme, along with losing the character of the town as it grows further.

The Vision and Objectives

The proposed vision and draft objectives were tested as part of the consultation.  These were:

Our vision takes us to 2030 and is ambitious and demanding. The neighbourhood plan will help us as a community to develop the area and its surrounding parishes as a place that people want to live in; where there is economic and educational opportunity and our community is inclusive, dynamic and successful.

Our objectives

• To maintain, protect and enhance the unique nature, heritage, important features, character and assets of the Neighbourhood Plan Area, including the independent nature and vitality of the town centre.
• To enhance and protect our AONB status, the conservation areas and the Jurassic Coast.
• Encourage sustainable tourism which uses local services, facilities and locally produced goods creating an accessible and attractive destination for visitors and local people. This will further our AONB status.
• To protect and develop key services and facilities in sustainable rural areas.
• To encourage the development of increased facilities including education, health, leisure, cultural and community services where these bring benefits to our community in line with this devolved Plan.
• To provide housing that the community needs, of high quality, accessible to services and affordable, in appropriate locations.
• To facilitate the expansion of the local economy to extend opportunity for established local businesses and the creation of new ones, ensuring that our economy is robust with high quality jobs and skills.
• To have excellent leisure, cultural and sporting opportunities, which are accessible to all.
• To alleviate the impact of climate change, develop renewable energy and encourage efficient waste management.
• To facilitate the expansion of the local economy to extend opportunity for established local businesses and the creation of new ones, ensuring that our economy is robust with high quality jobs and skills.
• To have excellent leisure, cultural and sporting opportunities, which are accessible to all.
• To alleviate the impact of climate change, develop renewable energy and encourage efficient waste management.

In general most people (over 90%) said that the vision and objectives were good or excellent.  Some people pointed out that some elements were a bit vague and some may conflict (such as increasing visitor numbers impacting on the environment).  Having more local control and say was mentioned in a number of comments.  A number of comments centred around whether the Neighbourhood Plan could deliver against those objectives, giving possible funding and other limitations. 

A number of respondents referred to improved transport such as bus services as a missing element

Conclusions and next steps

The consultation helped raise awareness of the work being progressed on the Neighbourhood Plan and to check that the vision and objectives were broadly right.

The responses highlighted the potential need for a specific objective relating to sustainable transport.  Although the Neighbourhood Plan cannot deal with all transport matters as many do not require planning permission, it can help deliver projects that may be routed through development sites, or potentially funded from the community infrastructure levy on new development. 

There have been some minor changes to more closely align the objective with the themes being used to guide the work on the plan (such as moving the town centre ‘objective’ to sit within the economic-based objectives), and reduce those elements that cannot readily be delivered through the Neighbourhood Plan.