PARENTS and teachers will today urge planners to put children's lives before a Bridport housing development.

They say plans to convert a home at Victoria Grove into five flats will lead to extra traffic along a narrow lane used by youngsters walking to and from school.

And they plan a demonstration at Dorchester today before the application is considered by district councillors, who are being recommended to approve it.

Leading protester Alison Dines says she cannot believe that highways officials are not objecting to the proposal.

She said: "There is a footpath right by the property which links one side of the town to the other and is very well used. All the kids from Colfox use it and they are proposing to let cars from these flats use it.

"I just can't believe there are no objections in terms of highway safety. Hardly any cars use it at the moment and the children who use the path just wouldn't be expecting to see cars there at all.

"They have not taken into account the number of young people and teenagers who use it. I can't believe anyone would be so reckless."

She added: "The planning officer was down here taking pictures the other day but he came at a time after all the primary school children had gone and before the Colfox pupils were there."

Bridport Primary School headteacher Ruth Clench said the flats scheme would put children at "huge risk", with cars using a lane hitherto vehicle-free.

She says parents are "extremely concerned" and tells planners: "The lane is used by pupils from St Catherine's School, Bridport Primary, pre-school groups at both schools and students of Sir John Colfox School, all aged from four to 18 years.

"Whilst younger pupils are accompanied to school, a considerable number of children aged seven and upwards walk to and from school alone.

"Owing to unpredictable behaviour of children of all ages, and the lack of visibility at the exits onto Victoria Grove, this development will inevitably pose a huge risk to the safety of all users.

"As headteacher of Bridport Primary School with a significant number of pupils using this route on a daily basis I have grave concerns for their safety and welfare."

Bridport town council will also voice its objections to the plan to convert 163 Victoria Grove, a semi-detached six-bedroom house.