PLANS have been submitted to demolish a hotel and replace it with 28 flats.

An outline planning application was submitted to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council in August to demolish the Portland Lodge hotel on Easton Lane and replace it with 28 flats and the associated parking and amenities.

In May 2015, a scheme to convert the hotel in to 18 apartments was considered by the planning committee and was delegated to an officer to approve but further investigation showed the scheme to be commercially unviable so it was scrapped.

A pre-application enquiry was also submitted to the council for a new scheme to build 30 flats in a contemporary style as a single block using glass, masonry and render.

This proposal was considered to be 'incongruous' and lacking in respect for the local 'vernacular' of simple historic forms that are characteristic of Portland and was also dismissed.

In the design and access statement submitted with the application for the new plans it states that the new scheme for "modest sized flats" has been informed by pre-application comments.

It adds that all the car parking and vehicle access has been accommodated with an undercroft level access from Easton Lane in a position where "good visibility" can be achieved.

It continues that generous bin and bike storage could also be provided at this level.

There would be 38 car park spaces, one for each flat and 10 guest spaces.

The report adds that there is a need for 130 new affordable homes each year in Weymouth and Portland and the proposal would provide 30 percent of the flats dedicated to affordable use.

It continues that the remainder would be of modest size and price suitable for first time buyers and the buy to let market.

Describing the look of the new flats, the plans say: "The buildings surrounding the central court are historic in both scale and detail echoing the simple domestic vernacular found all over Portland. Stone heads and sills to openings combine with stone quoins and copings all in local material help create a cohesive hamlet sympathetic to the island.

"The roofs would be in stone and slate with pent dormers and the introduction of 2.5 storey elements create ridge line variation and interest. The west and south elevations as seen from Easton Lane would much improve the approaches to and from Easton currently spoilt by the existing buildings.

"Views from the north and the west are mitigated by the high banks surrounding the site, those parts still visible above these banks also designed to complement the character of the locality."

The plans are currently under consideration.