Concerned Bridport traders host emergency public forum about the town’s future
A number of businesses, artists and influential figures from Bridport are hosting an Open Day at the Bridport Arts Centre from 11am to 4pm on Saturday 3rd May, in an attempt to increase public awareness of development proposals for a key historical business estate in the heart of the town. They also hope to persuade the West Dorset District Council to hold a full public consultation.
The West Dorset District Council, the Hayward family who own the ten-acre site, and Morgan Carey Architects (based in Poole), have proposed redevelopment plans for the historic St Michael’s Trading Estate in the southwest corner of the town.
The St Michael’s Trading Estate is a key part of Bridport’s character and it’s rope-making heritage, as it was the location where the ropes were traditionally made in warehouses and on long ‘rope-walks’. This light industrial enterprise has continued in recent years with an influx of carpenters, artists, masons, sculptors, designers, upholsterers, potters, sign makers, printers, mechanics, and an award winning recycling and bio-diesel centre.
Will destroy the character
There are several businesses on the estate that provide essential services to the town, and many of the traders are worried that the current proposal will destroy the character of the estate, putting them out of business, leading to a loss of employment, and adversely affecting the whole town.
Painting of the Cafe Royal by Kit Glaysier.
The proposed development includes plans for a residential development of about 139 homes. However, even those advocating more housing in the town are dismayed that the proposal only allows for the minimum allocation of 35% affordable housing, meaning that 65% of the housing will comprise of expensive retirement flats and second homes.
One of the threatened buildings is the grand redbrick Edwards building, which contains a traditional upholsterer, carpenters, a design show room, a sign writer, Gabriel Holland Interior Designers, a new artist-run gallery called SPACE, and the nationally renowned St Michael’s Studios complex, which was founded by the artist Kit Glaisyer in 1999.
In fact the building now provides affordable studios for thirty artists, and it rivals similar complexes like Spike Island in Bristol and ACME Studios in London. The artists are understandably concerned that the current scheme would involve kicking them out, pushing the rents up, and creating unpopular live/work units in their place.
Glaisyer told us “we’ve all worried about these plans as we’ve put a great deal of time, money and effort into building the reputation of St Michael’s Studios, and now we’re facing an uncertain future. We’re currently working towards Dorset Art Weeks (May 24 to June 8), which will be our biggest open studios event so far and we’re expecting hundreds of visitors. If this development goes ahead it could put an end to our art scene, and severely affect dozens of artists.”
In fact the ‘Bridport Art Scene’ is now a nationally recognised phenomenon, with many noteworthy artists, dozens of studios and new galleries opening such as the Gallery of Secrets on South Street, and Sladers Yard in nearby West Bay. The growing Bridport Open Studio event now shows over eighty artists on the August Bank Holiday weekend, and the area is also home to renowned Jerwood Painting winner John Hubbard, as well as other prominent artists such as Alex Lowery, Trish Wylie, Gerry Dudgeon and Jon Adams.
Poundbury clone
One St Michael’s tenant told us “it just amazes me that the WDDC would advocate destroying the existing employment, when they could easily endorse a plan that supports existing businesses. We wish that the developers could appreciate the unique character of this town, and support the businesses on this vibrant estate, rather than trying to impose another Poundbury clone on us.”
A local trader told us “we would love to encourage new enterprise and bring more employment to our estate, and we would love the WDDC to consult with the existing businesses who work here, since some of us have been operating for over thirty years. But instead they are simply pushing us out to make way for another housing development. The fact is that Bripdort is already an example of a successful market town, and the St Michael’s Trading Estate is a big part of what makes the town special.”
tHE tRICK FACTORY
The indoor skate, bike, blade park received this email from WDDC This can only be a good thing. Hopefully a stepping stone to a positive future.
Dear Mr Ridge, I have been asked to contact you, on behalf of West Dorset District Council, to discuss the future of The Trick Factory in light of the possible redevelopment of the Old Stover Building in the St Michaels Trading Estate. It is recognised that the facility offered by The Trick Factory for the young people of Bridport (and beyond) is very important and should not be lost if at all possible. Therefore, finding alternative premises for the indoor skateboard/BMX track is a priority. I have therefore been asked to meet with yourself to establish what type of premises you need in terms of minimum space requirements, location etc and how we might be able to help you to secure them. I wonder if you would be available to meet with us and discuss the matter further.
If the developers get their way, then it seems the spirit of enterprise on the St Michael’s Trading Estate may have been a rather short lived revival, but then perhaps the developers haven’t reckoned on the passion of the local people.
The St Michael’s Traders will be presenting a display showing the numerous businesses on the St Michael’s Trading Estate and hosting a Public Forum about the proposed redevelopment at the Bridport Arts Centre, from 11am to 4pm on Saturday 3rd May.
There is also a public Town Council meeting about the proposed development at 7pm on Wednesday 7th May.
VIEW PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Updated plans for the South West quadrant including the bus station and St Michaels trading estate are available...
Application Number 1/D/08/000576 Demolish Cafe Royal and attached retail units, public toilets, garages behind public toilets, bus stop, Unit 94 St Michaels Trading Estate, Burwood Annex, Units 33-38 and 52-54 St Michaels Trading Est (Conservation Area Consent)
Application Number 1/D/08/000574 Develop land by the erection of 175 dwellings, 1,814 square metres of new commercial floor space (including use classes A1 (Shops), A3 (Restaurants and cafes), B1 (Business), a taxi office and a new b (Outline) These applications are currently undetermined and comments are invited via the applications on the WDDC website until 09 May 2008
There seems to be a strange air of quiet about this, no comments, no headlines in the local press, have you all got an eye on a weekend crash pad on St Michaels or the offer of smart new offices?
I don't think anyone can argue that it doesn't needs a few quid spent on it but not at the loss of all the interesting businesses and studios.
It may feel a bit like walking through time wondering around the SW Quadrant but I like it like that.
AND when WDDC are trying to promote affordable housing why have they agreed to the minimum? Get your house in order WDDC.
Posted by Rustic, on 03-05-2008 07:54,
Bulldoze the lot and start again, and while we are at it the same applies to west bay. It is a derilict damp looking waste of space. As long as the peolpe who are trading or arting or whatever there now are given the same space in the area then lets get on with it. What are we trying to save here??
Posted by Somerset Exile, on 06-05-2008 16:11,
Agree re: West Bay.
The sooner they get rid of those "old peoples' council flats" on the front & the huts the better. West Bay was always the poor relation on the south coast so it's about time it was bulldozed & tidied up. Same goes for the caravan park. Go to West Bay on a nice summer's day and all you can hear is karaoke!
Posted by Rustic, on 08-05-2008 05:37,
You're right Exile but "thats the way uhuh uhuh they like it uhuh uhuh"
Concerned Bridport traders host emergency public forum about the town’s future
