THE LONG-awaited redevelopment of Bridport's South West Quadrant should finally get under way next year.

West Dorset District Council leader Robert Gould says they are on target to submit planning applications for the multi-million pound scheme by April.

And a blueprint showing how the site should be developed will be unveiled to the public next month.

Coun Gould was responding to mounting concerns over delays in beginning the project from Bridport councillor David Tett.

He told the leader: "This is one of this council's top priorities, and I shall be glad of an update on the present position and to know when a report will be brought to this council chamber.

"There was an extensive consultation carried out in 2002 since when, five years down the line, very little has been done or achieved."

In his response, Coun Gould said that since his last update to the council in January "considerable progress has been made in bringing forward plans for the regeneration of this site".

He continued: "This is a complex site with a significant number of constraints. A detailed flood risk assessment is being undertaken by specialist engineers, land contamination surveys have been undertaken, a detailed topographical survey prepared, and surveys of services and utilities completed.

"The appointed architects have prepared a concept statement showing how the site should be developed and this will be presented to the June meetings of the executive committee as well as to the town council and local community.

"A financial appraisal of the scheme is in preparation. At the April meeting of the executive committee it was agreed that the target for this project is submission of a planning application for Phase 1 of development on West Dorset District Council-owned land by March 2008 and we are currently on target to achieve this."

Welcoming the statement, Coun Tett said the slow progress being made over the South West Quadrant's regeneration was one of the main issues raised on the doorstep while campaigning during the recent elections.

  • Employment and housing provision have been recognised as key factors in any regeneration scheme for the area. Planning chiefs have stressed there is a need to provide new opportunities for better-paid jobs, along with building more homes.