CAMPAIGNERS will continue to fight over the 'massively destructive' development of more than 700 homes as they await the outcome of a judicial review writes Lottie Welch.

Members of Advearse, who are seeking to challenge hundreds of homes being built at Vearse Farm on the edge of Bridport, were granted a review against Dorset Council’s approval of the development, which took place in Cardiff last month.

The hearing, at Cardiff Civil Justice Centre on January 28, was attended by eight Advearse members with the group arguing that all of the development area was within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

A spokesman for Advearse said: “Our lawyers sought an order from the judge quashing the planning permission, citing specific legal failures by the council in relation to the planning application. Of course, both the council and Hallam lawyers resisted our claim. If granted, a quashing order would render the current Vearse Farm outline planning permission null and void.

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“Due to the length and complexity of the legal arguments, the case had to be adjourned and was completed on Friday, January 31 with some Advearse members in attendance.

“As expected, the judge reserved judgement and will, over the coming weeks, review all the legal submissions and arguments and issue his written judgement. Unfortunately, we do not have a clear indication of how long it will take to issue the judgement and, more importantly, which way it will go.

“At our January meeting, we examined the possible responses of Dorset Council and Hallam to whichever result emerges and to plan our own response.

“Fingers crossed we win the case but whatever the outcome, we will continue to fight against the massively destructive Vearse Farm Bridport urban extension.”

The group will provide a further update when the judge has finalised the decision.