THE MAYOR of Bridport has hit out at plans to build 33 homes on an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) after outline proposals were recommended for approval by planners.

Developers Chesters Commercial submitted plans for homes at Watton Park, next to Bridport Leisure Centre.

Chesters said the site is well-connected to community facilities, and added they would promote alternative forms of transport like walking and cycling.

Outline permission for the scheme has been recommended for approval at today's (8) meeting of West Dorset District Council's development control committee.

Mayor of Bridport, Cllr Sandra Brown, has raised concerns about the added traffic in the town the development would produce.

"I really don't think this is the right place for this development," she said.

"I just don't think Bridport can cope with any more traffic. We don't have the infrastructure - schools, a medical centre and above all, the road system.

"That can't be changed unless you are going to demolish half the town."

In a report to councillors, the authority's housing enabling officer said: "The provision of affordable housing on this site would help to address the pressing need for affordable housing within the town of Bridport and the wider district."

The development would be built within the West Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and was met with objections by Bridport Town Council and Symondsbury Parish Council.

Cllr Amanda Streatfeild, chairman of Symondsbury Parish Council had recommended a site visit should take place to see the impact the development would have on the landscape.

The scheme was due to be discussed by the committee in August, but was deferred for a site visit to take place.

More than 900 households in west Dorset are registered as in affordable housing need. Of these, 211 have a connection to Bridport.

A legal section 106 agreement would require the developers to make 35 percent of the homes available as affordable housing.

In a report to councillors, case officer Joanne Langrish-Merritt said: "The proposed development is considered to be acceptable with regard to the benefits of the provision of housing weighed against other impact and in particular landscape issues.

"The layout, landscaping and design of the dwellings could be acceptable, in terms of the impact on the residential amenity of the area,impact on the AONB and visual amenity of the locality."