COUNCILLORS have refused planning permission for a multi-million ‘iconic’ residential development on the site of the Ferrybridge Inn on the edge of Weymouth.

But their reasons for refusal did not come down to protecting the path of the Western Relief Route.

They were more concerned about the ‘bulky’ design and overdevelopment on the waterfront site.

Concerns about no affordable housing being provided in the development and the fact it is close to a sewage pumping station, which Wessex Water said could generate complaints, were also taken into account.

The decision was made at a meeting of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s planning and traffic committee this morning which was attended by a number of people speaking both for and against the development.

See Thursday’s Echo for the full story.