A BRIDPORT couple's need to provide separate bedrooms for their two young children highlighted the difficulties caused by high property prices this week.

Members of Bridport Town Council's plans committee were considering an application from Mr and Mrs C Mears for a two-storey extension at 1 Poppy Way, Meadowlands, West Bay.

Coun Mrs Gill Fifield was against extending the two-bedroom property because there were still lots of three bedroom houses available on the estate and they would be losing one of the more affordable homes. But Mrs Sue Walsh, owner of Harbour Garage, told the committee that the applicant, who worked for her, was faced with little alternative.

Given special permission to address the committee, Mrs Walsh said that the couple bought their present home because they could not afford one of the three bedroom properties. But now they had a son and daughter of an age when they had to have separate bedrooms. Building an extension was the only affordable way they could achieve this.

Council leader Charles Wild said these were "very real concerns" but not planning issues.

Coun David Tett said that if building extensions was the only affordable way that couples could better themselves then this should be encouraged. But he said in this case they had to ensure that neighbours' privacy was not affected by the new building.

Coun Richard Nicholls said he also had great sympathy with the applicants but warned that the planners would not necessarily look at their application in those terms.

Coun Wild said the issues were whether this was over development of the site and whether the extension would overlook other homes. He suggested planners hold a site visit to assess the situation. Chairman Coun Carole Murless said overlooking could be a problem but it was one of the largest sites there.

The committee agreed to pass on its concerns to the district council's planning department.