Residents are being invited to have their say on proposals to develop land at a former school into retirement accommodation.

A public exhibition will give people living in Bridport the opportunity to view and comment on McCarthy and Stone’s plans to develop land at the former Mountjoy School site on Flood Lane.

The site, which is currently empty, was used by Mountjoy until 2012, when it relocated to new state-of-the-art premises in Beaminster.

McCarthy and Stone has since ‘acquired an interest’ in the site and is bringing forward proposals to redevelop it with approximately 41 one and two-bedroom age-exclusive retirement living apartments.

There are also plans for on-site car parking space for those aged over 60.

McCarthy and Stone say there is a ‘significant local need’ for this type of development in the area.

Shane Paull, regional managing director at the company, said: “The public exhibition will provide an excellent opportunity for us to talk with the local community regarding our proposals for this site.

“It is important that communities cater to the needs of all their residents. This development would improve accommodation choice for older people in the local area and provide an opportunity to downsize while still remaining in Bridport.

“Given the nature of this type of development, there will be no additional impact on local schools and there are lower levels of car ownership and traffic generation. Our research finds that the majority of our homeowners move from within a five to seven mile radius of their new home, which frees up local housing stock for young families.”

McCarthy and Stone’s plans are still at a preliminary stage and no application has been submitted. About 2,000 local people have been invited to the public exhibition, including councillors, residents’ groups and immediate site neighbours.

The public exhibition will take place on Monday (June 25) in the main hall at Bridport Town Hall, East Street, between 3pm and 7pm.