PLANS to build retirement accommodation, rather than affordable housing, at a former school site have been labelled a ‘disgrace.’

Housebuilder McCarthy and Stone wants to build 42 apartments at the former Mountjoy School site on Flood Lane, Bridport.

The land is currently owned by Dorset County Council, and Bridport Town Council feels it should be used for affordable housing.

The plans went before the committee in December 2018, when councillors questioned the need for the development and said this had not been properly demonstrated.

They said the proposed development would not meet the needs of residents and would lead to over-development of the site as, at three storeys, the building would be too high and out of keeping with the surrounding area.

They also raised concerns no affordable element was included in the proposed development and requested an equivalent contribution to the affordable housing fund be sought.

The amended plans show a reduced height, and developers have offered a contribution of £295,111 for affordable housing.

They were discussed by the town council’s planning committee on Monday, when members said their objections still stand on the same grounds.

Cllr Dave Rickard said: “We’re all of the mind that this is the wrong development in the wrong place. To say that the Mountjoy site looks a mess is not an excuse – the county council hasn’t done anything to tidy it up.

“They [the county council] have had this brownfield site, and others, for five years and did not tell the district council about these for the neighbourhood plan. It’s council land, owned by the public, and it’s a disgrace they’re not building affordable housing up there.”

Cllr Anne Rickard agreed, saying it was the type of development the council had issue with. “This is council land,” she said. “We want something for our grandchildren.”

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’s proposals show plans for 42 one and two-bedroom apartments and 31 on-site car parking spaces.