Land on the edge of Weymouth earmarked for a large-scale housing may not go forward as a proposed development site.

Land south of Wey Valley close to Redlands Farm was chosen as a preferred option for housing as part of the Weymouth, Portland and West Dorset local plan review preferred options consultation.

However, following a meeting of the borough council’s policy development committee councillors agreed it should no longer be included as part of the plans during the next consultation period, set to begin in August this year.

The original proposal was for 200 homes on the site, however, this was scaled back following concerns from residents raised in an issues and options consultation last year.

Trevor Warrick, the council’s spacial policy and implantation manager, said: “We felt 200 homes was too much, so we have scaled it back to 100 and would like to take this revised scheme to the public to see what their views are.”

However, he explained the revised development would still make it difficult for Redlands Farm to continue operating on the land. Concerns were also raised over the impact on the footpath network and landscape.

Cllr Pam Nixon, who represents Wey Valley ward said: “In the revised plan I am delighted to see the number of houses has been reduced from 200 to 100, but it doesn’t help the fact that Redlands Farm would probably no longer be able to exist.

“This would not only be a loss of jobs but a great loss to the community, it’s very important

to the area.”

Trevor Warrick said: “What we are saying is that the farm and the farmland is part and parcel with the development. We either go with something like this or go with nothing at all.”

Cllr Mark Tewksbury asked: “If we lost those 100 homes from the site what’s the penalty for missing our five-year housing supply?”

The council’s plan is to build almost 800 homes a year with one projection putting the total figure for the area at more than 19,000 new homes by the end of the plan period.

However, a report put before the committee says: “In the period 2016-2036 a steady supply of housing and employment land should help to meet projected needs across the plan review area (15,880 new homes and about 51.6 hectares of employment land.)

Speaking about the development, Mr Warrick explained: “We are proposing a number of houses in excess of the 15,880, so this reduces it by 100 of the extra we have identified. I think the key issue really is us looking for opportunities around Weymouth’s future growth. I know we’re talking about the five years, 2031 to 2036, but certainly when you get to a local examination, the inspector will want to be assured we have looked at all the opportunity for Weymouth to grow.

“So in short, in terms of overall numbers we would still be over, in terms of meeting Weymouth’s needs in the longer term I think that potentially could be an issue.”

The policy development committee has recommended that the plans for the site are not taken to consultation as part of the Weymouth, Portland and West Dorset Local Plan Review ‘preferred options’ consultation.

The recommendations will be put before the borough’s management committee, then to full council, who will have the final say on which preferred documents are taken to public consultation.