VIEWS from the local community are being 'completely ignored' when it comes to planning applications, a resident claims.

Terry Gant spoke out after proposals to build hundreds of dwellings in Nottington was submitted to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

Developers CG Fry and Son Ltd have put forward an outline planning application which could see up to 340 dwellings built land south of Nottington Lane.

Primary access to the site would be from Nottington Lane, with a secondary access from Dorchester Road.

Mr Gant said: "In 2009, myself and others in Nottington completed questionnaires being asked to air our views concerning land being proposed for development behind Dorchester Road and adjoining Nottington Lane.

"We expressed our concerns over the risk of serious flooding, which we have experienced on many occasions – the latest being in 2012 – and also the obvious increase in traffic in what is simply a country lane.

"What did we get for our efforts and so called democracy? A proposal to build 340 dwellings with the drainage and run off from which is all to be directed through a series of sewer pipes and watercourses that are already overloaded."

Mr Gant has also raised his concerns about the level of traffic down Nottington Lane, which he expects would increase ‘alarmingly’ if a development ever took place.

He said: "This will be further exacerbated with the construction of 600 houses at Chickerell whose easiest route north is through Coldharbour and then Nottington Lane to Dorchester Road.

"It does beg the question: Why was this land designated for development and why were the views of local people ignored?"

The outline application for the 340-dwelling development has been submitted following a consultation event held in December last year, where local residents raised a number of concerns.

At the time of writing, the application has received 25 representations online from members of the public and bodies such as Natural England.

Whilst a number of respondents recognise a need for housing, most continue to relay their concerns about the plan.

During the consultation, developers said the community would be consulted again if outline planning permission was granted.

In the developer’s design and access statement, it reads: "The site presents the opportunity to reinforce this local context where dwellings provide positive frontages to streets and bring added variety through a range of house types and sizes.

"Pedestrian friendly routes can connect communities together and provide access to facilities and the surrounding network of countryside routes."

The statement also says the proposals meet the planning policy objectives of the emerging West Dorset and Weymouth and Portland Local Plan.

The borough council was contacted for comment.

People have an opportunity to comment on the application until Thursday, March 26 by visiting dorsetforyou.com/planning