A housing association scheme for more than 90 homes close to the former Value House site at Wyke Regis is being recommended for refusal by local planners.

East Boro Housing Trust want to build 91 homes on a green field site east of Mandeville Road. It is proposing a mix of 2, 3 and 4-bedroom homes, half of them classed as affordable.

Natural England says the site provides an important green corridor between the Chesil Beach and Fleet, to the Little Francis nature reserve and, beyond it, to Radipole Lake, but has not formally objected.

Chickerell parish council has – it recommends that the application be refused because it is outside the defined development boundary; is contrary to the Local Plan and could have an impact on the World Heritage Site. It also has concerns over traffic and wildlife.

More than 70 letters to the planning committee largely support the parish council's views.

The local Landscape Officer says the site will be 'visually prominent' and have an effect on the area's surroundings: “I believe that the proposed application would harm the character, special qualities or natural beauty of the Heritage Coast, including harm to its characteristic landscape quality, uninterrupted panoramic views and sense of tranquillity and remoteness.”

Planning officers say the scheme should be refused because of the effect it would have on the Heritage Coast and detrimental impact on the biodiversity of the area. Concerns are also expressed about what is said to be a lack of  a plan to manage surface water which it says could lead to flooding.

West Dorset District Council's planning committee will discuss the plan at a meeting tomorrow.