A ‘technical objection’ could stop plans for homes on a former Portland school site.

Sport England is objecting to the loss of playing fields which may result in the scheme being called in for a Government minister to decide, rather than the local council.

Sport England says its ‘technical objection’ should remain in place until the need for playing fields in the area can be properly assessed. Borough planning officers believe the area has adequate open space for sport and recreation.

Weymouth and Portland councillors will look at the site next week and are being told that they could give outline approval, and then await the outcome of any ‘call in’ decision.

Tomorrow's Weymouth and Portland Borough Council planning committee will be told of plans to demolish the former Southwell Primary school and build up to 58 homes on the 1.3 hectare site.

Portland Town Council has objected to the proposals on the grounds that it would be an overdevelopment and is also concerned about the proposed removal of an ancient hedgerow.

Some of the ten objectors share the concerns about the density of the proposal. Other concerns include extra traffic problems and that three-storey properties would be out of keeping with the area. The loss of green space, a lack of community facilities and some of the proposed homes being too close to neighbouring properties also feature in the objections.

The one letter of support says the development would be good for young, local people and that the extra homes would act as a catalyst to attract more services in the area.

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), a government body, submitted the application in November.

It originally said that 50 per cent of the houses would be affordable starter homes, aimed at first time buyers under 40 with a mixture of two, three and four bedroom houses as well as apartments.

The new application says that the HCA will comply with national policy on affordable homes, which could mean 13-14 ‘affordable’ properties for the site. It has also changed the application to read ‘up to’ 58 homes.

The re-worked proposal is for 21 two-bed apartments, 18 two-bed houses and 18 three-bed homes together with one four-bed home.