COUNCILLORS have backed plans to create eight homes on Portland despite concerns developers are taking advantage of the lack of a housing plan.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s planning and transport committee granted conditional approval for the development on part of a former quarry site along Weston Street.

Imago Developments agreed to conditions issued by the council for the plans to include two affordable housing units, a request for a biodiversity mitigation plan and investigations to assess the extent of any contamination on the site.

During a site visit, councillors were concerned with access to the new development by an existing quarry track – so further conditions were put on the developer to improve the road.

Local resident Susan Cocking urged the committee to reject the plans, believing the development was an encroachment on open space and would be built outside of the development boundary.

But recent appeal decisions have demonstrated that the council does not have a five-year housing land supply as there is no up-to-date local plan in place, so it cannot argue the land is outside the boundary.

“By allowing this development to go ahead, the current open gap space will be no more,” said Ms Cockling. “It will be intrusive on the landscape, it will bring traffic, noise and light pollution to an area which is quiet and peaceful – thus changing its character. There are already a number of housing developments being built on Portland and many remain unsold, even with cash incentives. Why should we allow houses to be built which will end the open spaces?

“While the Local Plan is in disarray, local developers are taking advantage of this. But this could mean we could all build anything, anywhere – harming Portland’s landscape for future generations.”

Speaking in support of the development, agent Richard Burgess, representing the applicant, rejected claims that an open green space was being turned into housing.

He said: “The site was not previously used as open space but as an assortment of old garages, cars, chicken runs and rubbish before it was cleared.

“During the course of this application, we have agreed that we would provide two affordable housing units. We are happy with the planning conditions and we believe that this is an acceptable proposal. We will provide an upgraded access which will probably be tarmac at the existing road level.”

Cllr Kevin Brookes said: “I’m quite happy with what has been proposed. It’s good that we are able to continue to make requests for developers to provide affordable housing and everyone should be happy.

“My only concern is that at a later date, developers appeal the affordable housing request. But hopefully everything will go hunky-dory and we get our affordable housing.”