I HAVE read of late, several letters appertaining to the proposed development at Vearse Farm on the western periphery of Bridport.

Since February, 2013, there have been only four communications from different readers of the Bridport News. As I understand it, this is potentially, the biggest issue to affect the town of late, the generation of around 750 extra dwellings.

I cannot believe the Bridport residents either for or against this situation, have been so hesitant or apathetic to voice their opinions?

Several reasons why this should not go ahead have already been aired by others, excessive traffic disruption, inhibited drainage of the River Simene flood plain etc.

I would like to add I understand that Bridport has not got the employment levels or affluence as compared to Dorchester or Sherborne, two original sites who have transferred their housing development allocation to Bridport.

Dorchester and Sherborne have the advantage of a better road infrastructure than Bridport and are both served by a rail service.

The potential for new residents to travel to nearby Bournemouth/ Poole and Yeovil respectively for employment, by either transport option, is one that Bridport does not have to offer.

Finally, I do not believe the new houses will be affordable to the majority of local residents.

This is even though there has been a promise of some affordables, only to those new residents from more affluent origins.

We do not want another mass of second homes, empty for most of the year, which have destroyed the social structure of many of the villages and towns in Dorset.

Richard Freer Lodge Lane West Allington Bridport