RESIDENTS packed a meeting at to hear about draft proposals for a new housing development.

More than 50 people attended the summit in Bradpole village hall about the Happy Island plot which borders Happy Island Way and Jessopp Avenue in Bridport.

Chris Savory, who chaired the meeting, said that councillor Ronald Coatsworth and Richard Nicholls from the Bridport branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) were there.

He said that Ross Jessopp also attended on behalf of the field owners the Farmers Club and Jessopp & Co, which owns the access strips and will be the developers if the scheme gets the go- ahead.

Mr Savory pointed out at the meeting that the Happy Island site was one of a small number suggested as possible new sites for housing during the consultation process for the new local plan run by West Dorset District Council before Christmas.

He added: “The development plans were confirmed by Ross Jessopp who attended on behalf of the Farmers Club and Jessopp & Co.

“He was given the chance to explain the plans which would be for around sixty houses with access from both Happy Island Way and Jessopp Avenue.

“This was useful for the residents to know, but did not provide any reassurance for them. “All the 55 attending residents left their contact details, to add to the 35 already gathered by the group, and most said that they would be happy to be involved in this effort to stop this development from ruining Happy Island.

“This is not the first time the Bridport community have found this much-loved area under threat from developers, and the people are determined to save the area as they did before.”

Mr Savory said that Coun Coatsworth whose ward includes Bradpole also pledged his support.

He said that Mr Nicholls asked whether the proposed development lies within the town’s existing development boundary.

Mr Savory said that the answer was that at the moment it does not, but the process of drawing up a new local plan includes the possibility of changing or abolishing these boundaries.

The Farmers’ Club charity is considering the development as it has an obligation to make the most of its interest in any property that it owns.

It helps with the education of people in the agricultural community.

Contact Mr Savory on 07754 683177, email chris1savory@aol.com or visit the Facebook group Protect Happy Island Environment Group for more information.