PLANS for a new care ‘village’ in west Dorset are being put before the public.

Residents and local businesses are being asked to give their views on the latest proposals for the Bridport Gateway development. If given planning permission later this year, the plans could see new care and housing facilities built on two sites off South Street, close to the town centre.

Dorset Council is working with developers Shaw Healthcare and Morgan Sindall Later Living, and the registered housing provider East Boro Housing Trust to produce the plans.

The scheme is part of the council’s Building Better Lives programme which aims to deliver new, high quality accommodation and care services in Dorset for people who really need it.

Architects employed by the developers have been working up designs and Dorset Council wants to know what local people think of them so it can build feedback into the design process before a planning application is made later this year.

A leaflet about the scheme is being sent to households and businesses in the Bridport area and can be found online at www.dorsetforyou.com/bridport-gateway

The site at Flood Lane aims to provide:

• Extra care housing, specifically designed to help people with support needs, problems getting about and increasing frailty to continue to live as independently as possible for as long as they want to. These homes should be available at affordable rent.

• A new care home to care for people with complex nursing and dementia needs

• A respite care facility that will allow people to stay for short periods of time to help give family carers a break, help prevent admission to hospital, or help people get back on their feet after a stay in hospital

• Community space with excellent facilities, allowing people living on the site and those in the wider community with disabilities to join and take part in activities and events run by local community groups

• Public gardens and green space for the whole community to enjoy

At the Fisherman’s Arms site, a mixture of affordable houses and apartments units could be built, some of which, according to the council, will be targeted for workers in care and health jobs, and some of which will be for people with disabilities. It says homes should be available at a mixture of social rent levels or affordable rents.

Cllr Laura Miller, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for adult social care and health, said: “The Building Better Lives programme is about developing new accommodation and services to tackle the increasing levels of demand on Adults Social Care and Health services in Dorset.

With the Bridport Gateway development we’re aiming to build places to live right in the heart of Bridport for adults with care and support needs, and for the key workers who deliver those health and care services too.

“It’s a really significant project and we want to get it right. If you live or work in the local area I would urge you to take a look at what we’re proposing and let us know what you think – we’re open to comments on all aspects of the scheme.”

Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for housing and community safety, added: “We know that where you live can really affect your health and wellbeing. The town centre location of this development is key to ensuring Bridport Gateway’s future residents have access to the town’s vibrant community scene, which in turn, will increase footfall to local businesses.

“We are keen to hear feedback and answer any questions or concerns people may have. We will listen and incorporate your views into the design process as we bring together the planning application later this year.”

Four phone-in sessions will take place in July and August so that the public can ask questions and give feedback. The sessions will take place:

• Wednesday, July 29, 2 – 5pm

• Friday, July 31, 10am - 1pm

• Monday, August 3, 6 – 8pm

• Thursday, August 6, 10am -1pm

To take part call 01305 225850.

You can also submit comments about our proposals via our online survey

Alternatively you can email buildingbetterlives@dorsetcc.gov.uk, or write to:

Dorset Council Project Team

c/o Bridport Town Council

Mountfield, Bridport,

Dorset, DT6 3JP

Closing date for feedback is Friday, August 7.