I WISH to put forward the following views as part of the public consultation exercise with reference to the proposed 500 home development north of Littlemoor Road.

My declared interest is as a resident of Weymouth.

Whilst recognising the need for more housing nationally, not just in Dorset, my concerns arising from experience, are as follows: I have had experience of working for the local authority in Humberside on what was then the largest council/private home estate in Europe.

Because of problems arising from its size, the estate very quickly acquired a negative reputation. Despite the fact there were shops, a library, grassed areas, health centre, schools and facilities incorporated into the estate which had thought to have been carefully planned.

However its size definitely was a problem. The people living there were a mixed group and some very decent hard working people lived there.

Those that had taken advantage of buying houses found it difficult to sell, and realise their investment because of the reputation of the estate.

Ghetto like areas developed. Drugs, prostitution and other social problems were rife. I worked on occasion with the police, and was part of a documentary detailing the problems of the estate. Litter, shops eventually boarded up, graffiti also were among the problems.

Here, sadly, Littlemoor already has some of that reputation and many of the problems. Building so close and losing some of the things that actually have social benefits such as smaller communities, a sense of space, not being massed together, could well be lost. More visible areas are easier to manage. There is community at Littlemoor who do want it to be a good place to live.

There is a danger of ongoing impact of social services etc and the views and experience of social services, police are important to decision making.

Weymouth is already struggling. I have a high regard for Weymouth which is why I chose to live here. However the town is underdeveloped.

There is little to tempt people into town. Tesco had a shop window display of beer last time I walked past. Beautiful buildings are neglected by landlords and it is something to consider how developments like the one proposed may draw people further away from town. What brownfield sites are available for development which may enhance the town?

The town needs to be able to support housing developments firstly by adding to the services, available encouraging people in not just holiday makers, tax payers. Builders build, make profits and move away they leave behind what we have to live with their interest is not primarily the town.

There is already one development nearly complete which has extended the Littlemoor area, that Cummings have developed.

Dorset of which Weymouth is a proud part, owes much of its charm to characterful, villages and small communities, that is the model we should be trying to emulate.

Ever increasing large housing estates reflect in some way the mistakes of the 60’s where people were crammed into high level flats. It is not just houses people need, but ownership (not necessarily financial) of their community, their bit of Dorset.

G Metcalf Churchward Avenue Preston Weymouth