A controversial plan to build homes on an old school site overlooking the Jurassic Coast was given the go ahead – but only just.

Councillors voted to approve the redevelopment of Underhill Community Junior School on Portland into 20 new properties, ranging from one-bed flats to five bedroom houses, at a Weymouth and Portland Borough Council Planning Committee yesterday.

The proposals were approved by just one vote, after five councillors voted in favour and four rejected the plans.

Managing director of Bayview, which is developing the site, Bill Buckler said the design was the 'ultimate form of recycling', maintaining the historical façade of the school and its bell tower and in 'sympathy' with the local area.

He added building on brownfield sites such as this eased pressure on green-belt sites in the county.

However, Weymouth Civic Society, Portland Town Council and residents lent their voices to the almost 100 objections to the plan, stating it would be overbearing, impact on residents' privacy and damaging to the area. 

Portland resident Claire Hockett said: “This development will be an eyesore on our magnificent coast.”

She added she was not against the development of the site if it was in harmony with the surrounding area. 

A representative for the Weymouth Civic Society said the plans were ‘over-bearing’ in a ‘very precious area’. 

Councillor Lucy Grieve, speaking for Portland Town Council, said: "The houses are much closer to the cliff edge and would ruin views up from Chesil Cove."

She added the houses would also "obliterate" the current panoramic views from the cliff-top over the cove.

Plans before councillors were a second version of the development, which had scaled down the size of some of the properties and removed one after concerns were raised by officers and residents in the consultation process.

Planning consultant Chris Miell said the plans are a result of 12 months hard work and co-operation with planning officers.

He added the site would provide family housing in an area that greatly demanded them and should be looked upon favourably. 

“The material used will look like Portland stone with slate roofs in keeping with the area,” he said. 

Mr Miell added the plans had been laid out to ensure they were not overly overbearing and would not ‘have a detrimental impact on neighbours’.

However, Cllr Sandy West said the development provided the wrong type of housing for Portland and low cost housing for young people was needed.

Cllr Margaret Leicester said: “We do not need any more ‘rich people’s’ holiday homes. We need homes for the people of Portland and if you look at the average salary of people living here, no one on Portland can afford this.” 

However, Cllr Ian Bruce said the council had a duty to make proper use of good sites. 

“All the officers and developers have listened to the objections and redesigned the site. "This is now a well-designed site."