CAMPAIGNERS have challenged claims that controversial plans for a Bridport landmark have full community support.

The Bridport Area Development Trust (BADT) revealed the results of a survey which invited feedback on its proposals for the Literary and Scientific Institute (LSi) in East Street. The BADT published the results stating that the group had 'won the backing of the community'.

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 survey was sent out to the full LSi events attendees, work hub users and hirers and BADT members. It was also available through Bridport TIC and the LSi website.

In each question, the leading answer choice was either 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied'.

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.

Chasing Cow Productions - a west Dorset arts and filmmaking collective - which has been critical of the BADT's plans since they were first revealed in May - has responded to the survey results.

Chasing Cow launched a petition in opposition to the new plans in June, claiming a 'promised' public consultation never took place prior to the announcement, the companies involved 'offer nothing' to the community, and the plan does not justify the money and time spent on renovating the building.

A spokesman for Chasing Cow said it challenged BADT's claims of 'overall public satisfaction' and of winning public support.

"None of their literature mentions the public response Chasing Cow published which currently has over 130 signatories, all of whom are against the current plan going ahead in its current iteration.

"Not only does this greatly outnumber the BADT’s survey - of 70 respondents - there are also a number of personal comments from community members which have not been acknowledged."

The LSi was built in 1835 and reopened its doors in 2018, after being 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.

A BADT spokesperson said: “Giving new life to the neglected LSi was a project conceived in 2008 by the voluntary Bridport Area Development Trust. The scale, complexity and challenges of restoring and reopening the Grade II* listed building needed the experience, expertise, support and approval of numerous local authorities and national organisations.

"These include Bridport Town Council, Dorset Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England and the Architectural Heritage Foundation.

"The Trust’s appraisals, selection processes and decisions required and received these partners’ agreement. The rebirth of the LSi always was – and still is – a joint venture for the benefit of Bridport.”