A WEST Dorset beauty spot is set to become the latest battleground in the county council's struggle to build a waste management centre for Bridport.

The greenfield site north of the town's Gore Cross Business Park has emerged as the new first choice location for the controversial dump.

The plan has already been greeted with "horror" by nearby residents who are expected to mount a massive protest campaign. Up to 28 heavy goods vehicles would visit the site daily along with more than 250 private cars expected to use the recycling centre.

But for home owners in the Burton Road area of Bridport the news almost certainly means victory in their bitter fight to stop the plant going to Wych Farm - the council's previous preferred location.

The new plan is to build the waste centre on farmland behind the Gore Cross estate about 2.25 kilometres from Bridport town centre.

The one hectare plus site, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, would be used for the transfer and limited sorting of materials from kerbside collection rounds and a household recycling centre to replace the present temporary facility in South Street.

The Gore Cross plan is outlined in the county council's new waste management strategy which will be the subject of an exhibition at Bridport Town Hall next month.

County officers say the site is surrounded by agricultural land which rises to the north with hedgerows along Watford Lane and the A3066 providing "a good screen", but admit "sensitive landscaping" would be needed to reduce the impact on nearby properties.

The report says the transfer station would generate between 25 and 28 lorry movements a day. And if car movements for the recycling centre were the same as at the existing one in South Street the weekday average would be 252 and the weekend average 320.

The land is currently designated for agriculture but a change to employment use is being sought. County and district councillor Ron Coatsworth, a member of Bradpole parish council, in whose ward the proposed site lies, said the plan was by no means certain to succeed.

The land was part of a site identified for an extension to the Gore Cross industrial estate and any application to change its use would almost certainly go to a public inquiry. Another problem could be that part of the land is owned by the Parochial Church Council and earmarked for an extension to Bradpole cemetery.

"This is likely to produce a huge amount of opposition both from residents at Gore Cross and in St Andrew's Road because of the extra traffic," said Coun Coatsworth.

"I have always stated I would oppose the Gore Cross site being extended into the countryside which is an AONB and should be treated the same as a national park.

"There is a huge need for housing in this area yet the county council cannot extend into the greenbelt for that but it can expand into it for industrial purposes - it doesn't add up. I shall await developments with horror."

The waste management plan exhibition will take place at Bridport Town Hall on Wednesday, October 13, between 2pm-8pm. Staff will also be available between 3pm-6pm to answer technical questions on waste treatment.

Bradpole parish council is holding a special meeting to discuss the issue on October 14.