The team behind a controversial new vision for a Bridport landmark believes it has won the backing of the community - following a feedback survey.

The Bridport Area Development Trust (BADT) has revealed the results of a survey which invited feedback on its proposals for the Literary and Scientific Institute (LSi) in East Street.

The new plans for the LSi will see three tenants share the building. These tennants will be Crowdfunder, a resident in the LSi for the past three years, an unnamed financial services company and 3DC, a mentoring and skills development organisation headed by internationally renowned human rights lawyer Clive Stafford Smith.

Moves to bring in new tenants were met with criticism amid fears the facility will no longer be accessible to the community.

A petition was launched in opposition to the new plans, claiming a 'promised' public consultation never took place prior to the announcement, the companies involved 'offer nothing' to the community, and the plan justifies the money and time spent on renovating the building.

BADT’s online Public Engagement Survey, which ran for three weeks in May, asked five questions, with six response categories - ranging from very satisfied to very dissatisfied.

The BADT published the results of the survey stating that the group had 'won the backing of the community'.

The survey was sent out to the full LSi events attendees, work hub users and hirers; BADT members; and was available through Bridport Tourist Information Centre and the LSi website.

28 per cent of those polled said they were very satisfied the proposal meets the needs of Bridport as laid out in the LSi's aims. 27 per cent of those polled said they were satisfied with the proposal's offer for community and public use. 26 per cent said they were satisfied that the proposal creates unique and inspirational place for enterprise and giving young people new opportunities and 31 per cent said they were satisfied are you that the proposal creates the right balance of financial stability and benefit to the town.

A spokesman for BADT said: “These comments are a rich source of information which will help the LSi tenants shape a plan to grow community engagement and understanding of what is happening in the building and what it delivers for young people and the wider community.

"Free-text comments also offered a range of views with some looking for clarification or more information and some also offered advice."

The LSi was built in 1835 and reopened its doors in 2018, after been saved from its near-derelict state by the Bridport Area Development Trust's (BADT) 10-year restoration project.

Moving forward, Crowdfunder and 3DC will be compiling a programme of activities, events, training, mentoring and access to LSi facilities which will be submitted to leading funders and stakeholders for approval.