RESIDENTS worried about their road becoming a ‘pensioners’ paradise’ have been backed by councillors who rejected plans to knock down a house and build a block of flats.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s Planning and Traffic Committe turned down proposals to demolish a house along Preston Road to make way for seven flats.

The plans had been recommended for refusal due to the height and overall size of the block of flats and also because of concerns an access road would cause disturbance to neighbours living along Melstock Avenue.

The committee voted to reject the plans, with Cllr Christine James believing that more affordable housing for families should be built.

“I’ve always thought it is a shame we can’t have more family homes – but it’s always a question of who can afford it,” she said.

“I sometimes wonder who pushes the agenda of development into flats. At some point, greed is the driver.

“We are always told on this committee that we need two-bedroom flats for affordable housing. But I would like us to go back and see the evidence because I want to see some family homes being built that people can actually afford.”

An earlier scheme to erect eight flats was withdrawn in April after being recommended for refusal.

Architect David Crosland said he was shocked that the revised proposals had also been recommended for refusal – after believing enough had been done to meet the requirements of the council.

“I have redesigned it and was encouraged that the scheme was much improved and less of a bulky building” he said.

“I was being led to believe that what I have designed was going to be acceptable. It’s more modest than other applications in Preston Road.

“I was shocked when I was told that the recommendation was to reject the scheme. The recommendation is out of step with work I have previously done and I would urge the committee to bring back some logic and common sense.”

Preston Road resident John Liles had the backing of councillors when he suggested that families do not want to buy flats and the plans would not create affordable housing.

He said: “A living, breathing and friendly community is achieved with a good mix of people and ages. Preston Road is in danger of becoming pensioners’ paradise. Enough is enough – halt the blight.”

Committee members had also raised concerns about flooding, as the ground floor flats and parking spaces would start below road level.

But council officer Darren Rogers said this was regarded as a technical issue that would have been dealt with in regard to building regulations following planning permission.