1st February 2012

BRIDPORT: Owners defend their plans

SIR: Following the recent public meeting on the proposed redevelopment of the St Michael’s Trading Estate, at which much incorrect and confusing information was voiced, we welcome the opportunity afforded by your newspaper to comment.

Hayward and Co purchased the site 40 or so years ago at which time it was empty and outline planning permission for residential development had been granted.

Instead of housing, we chose to encourage small businesses on to the site thereby affording them access to low cost business units without difficult conditions attached. This has enabled tenants to come and go much as they pleased without being tied to onerous leases.

We have maintained the buildings and the site at our own expense and we have chosen not to register for VAT which further assists the tenants, particularly the smaller ones.

We wish this situation to continue as far as possible. However in order to do so we need to redevelop part of the site to enable us to reinvest in upgrading existing buildings and the site in general.

In formulating the present development plan we have consulted with interested parties through the proper process of public consultation, direct contact with tenants, council officials, local councillors and public bodies.

We wish to point out that with the exception of one business, those required to relocate as a consequence of the proposed housing were all made well aware of the plans to redevelop before they came on to the site, and all agreed that they would move in the event of planning permission being granted.

We will relocate the majority of those referred to above, in the new space to be constructed on the Lilliput and Stover locations.

With reference to the plan the following should be noted:

1. The proposal complies with Local Planning and Development Policy.

2. It will provide alternative new build accommodation for tenants required to relocate and is vital in order that Hayward & Co may reinvest the substantial sums required to upgrade existing old buildings and the site in general, and to maintain rents at their current low levels.

3. It will provide 35 Affordable Homes for the people of Bridport.

4. The Auction House and the Red Brick Café will continue as before.

5. The St Michaels Studios will be unaffected and continue as before.

6. The Trick Factory will be relocated to a new building on site.

In addition the plan will establish a public riverside walk along the River Brit, and Hayward & Co will donate the existing island, formed between the river and the Simene, to establish a community enjoyment/nature reserve in perpetuity.

We believe the construction to be carried out will generate employment over the period of the work and incoming residents will create further demand, thereby buttressing existing jobs in the town, and reinforcing the local economy.

We read in your newspaper that “campaigners fear redevelopment will jeopardise more than 200 jobs based on the estate”. Since those on the estate number around 135, with quite a few being part time, this claim is ridiculous.

We regard such statements as scaremongering of the very worst kind, particularly at a time of economic hardship and they could jeopardise the continuation of the estate in its present form.

To summarise we wish to continue to support jobs and small businesses in Bridport which this plan will enable us to achieve!

BRIDPORT: Owners defend their plans

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