After much deliberation and discussion with their lawyers, ADVEARSE have asked their lawyers to proceed with the application for a judicial review (JR) to challenge the outline planning permission for the Bridport urban extension on area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) land at Vearse Farm.

The sum of £31,500 has been raised and there are just days left to raise the last £2,500 needed to fund the JR. ‘We have every confidence that our supporters and donors will help us to reach this target’ says ADVEARSE Treasurer Phil Summerton.

According to legal processes, ADVEARSE have had just six weeks to raise funds and make a detailed assessment of their legal case since the outline planning decision notice was issued by the shadow Dorset Council on 2 May. After receiving a reply from Dorset Council to their pre-action protocol letter which set out their challenge to the planning decision, ADVEARSE discussed the strengths and weaknesses of their case with their solicitors Leigh Day and barristers Landmark Chambers. Chairman Barry Bates says, ‘As the arguments were complicated we have taken time over the past few days to raise further questions and make sure we have a clear understanding of the situation and all our options.’

The legal advice was also discussed with Dorset CPRE who have confirmed their £10,000 matched-funding support.

‘We are humbled and grateful for the fantastic support of local people, the CPRE and people from wider Dorset and beyond. We have close to 300 donors who have made direct donations and pledges on our Crowdfunder campaign site. The overwhelming support and feedback we have received has been a great motivating factor in our decision to proceed with the JR’, says Phil Summerton.

Barry Bates says, ‘This is a vital environmental case because this would be the biggest ever development built on AONB land and, if left unchallenged, it will set a dangerous precedent allowing developers and councils to ignore the rules protecting the countryside nationwide.’ He adds, ‘If we do not take this action now, nothing further can ever be done to challenge a development of this devastating scale on this site.’