Councillors are to discuss plans to build 17 flats in the centre of town.

Proposals which, if approved, would see the creation of 13 new flats and the conversion of four more at 13 East Street, Bridport - the building which houses Peacocks - have been submitted to Dorset Council by CPLC Associates.

As part of the consultation process, these plans will be discussed by Bridport Town Council's planning committee so it can submit its views.

The committee will meet at 7pm on Thursday at Mountfield.

As reported by The Bridport News last Thursday, Peacocks has raised concerns over the plans, stating in its impact statement to Dorset Council that it could no longer trade at its current location if the development went ahead.

The company’s head of property, Roger Williams, says: “I can confirm that the scheme, as proposed, if implemented would mean that Peacocks could no longer be able to trade here because we would need to vacate the premises to enable construction to proceed and the new unit created would be far too small for our requirements.”

The plans include the demolition of the current lower back part of the building to make way for a new building housing two flats on the ground floor, six on both the first and second floors and three on a third floor.

The 17 proposed flats each contain a kitchen and lounge area and a bathroom/ensuite and separate bedrooms, and the development would come with new drainage, bin and cycle storage areas, Juliet balconies to lounge areas on the first and second floors and full-length balconies on the third floor and second floor on front-facing flats. There would also be a lift to accommodate disabled access.

Members of the public are welcome to submit comments via Dorset Council's website and, while today is listed as the final day to do so, they will be accepted up until the application is accepted. 

You can submit your comments via Dorset Council's planning website here. 

The final decision on the plans will be made by a Dorset Council planning officer at a later date through delegated powers.