Council chiefs are backing the part of the Weymouth Football Club development that falls within borough boundaries.

The issue whether to build on the site of the Bob Lucas Stadium is set to be thrashed out at a public inquiry after West Dorset District Council rejected redevelopment proposals and applicant Wessex Delivery LLP appealed.

Developer Wessex Delivery LLP, which owns the land surrounding the stadium, has said it remains committed to seeing the project through.

Most of the proposed development, including up to 170 homes, a convenience store and parking, falls within West Dorset.

A smaller part of it – 0.14 hectares – just off the Wessex Roundabout, which would include a road and public open space with a playground and a pond, lies within Weymouth and Portland’s boundary. These are elements included in the outline planning application to be determined by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

As it’s going to appeal, the borough’s planning committee can no longer determine the application, but members need to say which way they would have voted so the inspector chairing the inquiry knows the council’s position.

It will be up to councillors what that view is but a report to the committee on Wednesday recommends the application is approved subject to conditions.

The report says: “Although this application is intended to facilitate a much more significant development on adjoining land within WDDC’s administrative boundary, the impacts upon the current application site are minor and there would be appear to be no sustainable reason for withholding planning permission.”

The redevelopment proposals for the Bob Lucas Stadium are separate to an application to the borough council by Wessex Delivery LLP to build a new stadium and facilities for the Terras on an old landfill site at Lodmoor. The plan has yet to be considered by the council.

As reported in the Echo, the board of Weymouth FC has withdrawn its objections to the move as it wants to consult with shareholders. It has agreed with Wessex Delivery that the club will not be forced to move from its current home without giving its consent.

The club is calling an Extraordinary General Meeting for shareholders on May 24.