A 700-SIGNATURE petition is among a flurry of objections to a proposed gypsy and traveller site in Weymouth.

Dorset’s nine councils have been consulting with residents about the potential locations for sites within the county.

They have to draw up a document outlining locations for the sites to meet the county’s needs until 2028 in line with government guidelines. Among the earmarked locations is the former army camp at Wyke Regis.

As reported in the Echo, inclusion of this site has prompted anger and backlash from residents who formed the Wyke Regis Community Association late last year in a bid to put the brakes on any plans.

And now a report in to the latest round of consultation shows the Wyke Regis site received the majority of objections- 169- plus a petition of 724 signatures.

The report says objectors have doubts over the tenancy arrangements and possible covenants on the site, the poor road access and flood risk, detrimental impact on the local economy and tourism and the impact a camp would have on wildlife.

The consultation report says Dorset County Council has ‘no objection to continued inclusion of the site, subject to resolving issues relating to visual impact on the Heritage coast and residential amenity of adjacent properties. County council preference is for the site to be used as a temporary transit from March to September.’ Overall, around eighty per cent of respondents to the consultation object to the proposed sites.

These include the former Guard House at Piddlehinton, Conygar Coppice, Okeford Fitzpaine, Old Chapel Yard, Marshwood, The Ford, Sandford Orcas, Guard House at Piddlehinton, Conygar Coppice, Okeford Fitzpaine, greenbelt land at Crumpets Drive, Lytchett Matravers and Wigbeth Farm, Horton.

Consultants recommend the councils progress with their plan, taking into account the comments received during this consultation and a previous one carried out in 2011/12.

A spokesman for the Wyke Regis Community Association said: “We are pleased the army camp site received the most objections but are disappointed this hasn’t been enough to rule it out at this stage. The proposals have caused a great deal of unrest within the local community. People are still concerned about the impact this will have on house values, the local economy and tourism.”