THE Ferrybridge Inn at Wyke Regis looks set to be demolished after councillors backed two housing development schemes in a bid to help boost the borough’s economy.

Weymouth and Portland Borough councillors approved two alternative development schemes for the area yesterday, despite a campaign to save the pub.

A 530-signature petition was collected and more than 320 letters were written to save the 'popular community pub and historical asset' from development.

The two schemes by Ferrybridge Developments LLP, one comprising 29 homes and pub/restaurant and one for a smaller scheme of 22 homes, were put forward after the applicant took into account comments about design and size made by a planning inspector who rejected a previous proposal on appeal.

In the meeting’s public forum, David Clark said the pub was one of the oldest surviving buildings in the area and a valuable local community resource.

He said both schemes lacked social housing to meet the needs of local people.

Mayor Kate Wheller said the pub was no longer viable long-term as a business.

Cllr Christine James urged members to ‘move things forward’ and Cllr Margaret Leicester said the smaller housing scheme had ‘some merit’.

But Cllr Paul Kimber said he was struggling to support the first scheme due to a lack of affordable housing.

Cllr Ian Bruce said building houses so close to the sea wall had not been done anywhere else in the borough and that the schemes were ‘ridiculous and against all principles’.

Cllr Kevin Brookes said the 22 homes scheme was the ‘final piece in the jigsaw puzzle’ for the area.

Discussing the larger scheme boasting a new pub, architect Paul Harrington said this scheme offered the opportunity for a better mix of houses.

Cllr Christine James said a new pub would bring employment options but councillors Anne Kenwood, Margaret Leicester and Sandra West said the second scheme would overdevelop the area.

Councillors agreed to recommend both development schemes subject to conditions and a section 106 agreement being worked out.

Mr Harrington said he was aware the potential loss of the pub has caused concern locally but told councillors that neither scheme prevented the Western Route relief route being built.

The Echo reported how moves to safeguard the path of the Western Route from Ferrybridge to Chickerell looked thwarted after Dorset County Council said the scheme was unlikely to get permission.