BRIDPORT: Why wasn’t Quadrant appeal halted earlier?

A three-day appeal had been planned to start last Tuesday (January 26th) but within hours the planning inspector Simon Rawle ruled the appeal unlawful. 

The inspector ruled that the district council could not appeal its joint application with developers Haywards & Co under Town and Country Planning Regulations.

The faulted appeal cost the district council around £20,000 but the legal issue which stopped it was raised in October last year.

Bridport Town Council leader Dave Rickard said: “The appeal was a bit of a farce and I can’t believe several things that went on. 

“I can’t believe that the district council were in a partnership and they didn’t know the rules of that partnership and I can’t believe the planning inspector couldn’t have made the decision sooner and had to waste the time of going to the appeal. 

“Everyone had to be fully prepared for a three-day appeal and it wasted a lot of time, effort and money and a lot of good will was lost.”

Bridport Town Councillor Karl Wallace added: “I would like to have seen it debated fully. It’s a totally different ball game now and I don’t know what’s going to happen.

“I’m concerned about how much public money has been spent and you have to ask why the district council didn’t look into this first before hiring a barrister.”

West Dorset District Council leader Robert Gould said: “West Dorset District Council is very concerned at the waste of public money as a result of the inspector’s decision.

“The Planning Inspectorate was aware of this issue back in October when the district council raised concerns by writing and asking for guidance on whether the appeal was valid.

“Had the inspectorate made this decision then, it would have saved all parties the great expense of hiring barristers and consultants. 

“The estimated cost to West Dorset District Council is £20,000.

“At a time when public expenditure is under great pressure, it is regrettable that the Planning Inspectorate has made this decision so late in the day.”

Bridport Town Councillor and West Dorset District Councillor David Tett had been in support of the development. 

“I was very disappointed and this decision has set the whole process back some years.

“There were things about the plans that I didn’t really like and it certainly needed some fine tuning but by and large the scheme met the needs of affordable housing in West Dorset and in particular Bridport and the surrounding areas. 

“It would have given additional employment and it was a golden opportunity. 

“It is money down the drain and they have been led up the garden path. This is not a dead duck but I am concerned that Haywards will walk away from it now. 

“They were incensed at the decision but it would be catastrophic if they throw in the towel,” he said.

Andrew Leppard of the Friends of St Michael’s added: “We were shocked at the verdict having prepared well to take the proposed urban development to pieces through planning regulations that had been ignored. 

“Now our aim is to ensure consultations are made properly and to help make the next proposal more appropriate and less destructive. 

“Investment is badly needed on the estate and if secured we could attract an increase in business and visitors to Bridport without destroying anything.”

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