ANGRY councillors claim their decision to refuse permission for a house to be altered into five flats was forced on them because of flood fears.

Owner and developer William Gill wanted to make the changes at 12 Ranelagh Road, Weymouth but found his scheme opposed by the Environment Agency which objected on the grounds of flood risk.

Members of Weymouth and Portland's planning and traffic committee were told that the agency felt that the site was in a high probability' flood risk zone and considered intensifying it to be inappropriate development'.

Occupants of the ground floor flat at the rear of the property would have no access to first floor accommodation in the event of a flood, the agency said.

Policy focusing on new build meant it would only be allowed in the Park district where rooms were elevated to an appropriate height above ground level or were influenced by other factors in order to reduce flooding risks.

Officers said the principle of change of use was acceptable and mitigation measures to reduce flood damage could be considered but the agency said it was unlikely a scheme could be developed to remove its concerns particularly as future flood depths could be significant'.

The agency added that to combat future flood risks which could happen at any time in the next 200 years would require site floor levels to be raised by two metres. The Agency said that it positively discourages new residential development on ground floors in flood risk areas, particularly as this places additional demands on emergency services'.

Officers recommended councillors refuse the scheme because the proposal does not take account of the safety of all potential occupiers in terms of flood mitigation and amenity'.

Councillor John Birtwistle agreed to refusal of the scheme but criticised the influence of the agency which he said had left him feeling sidelined'. He added: "Let's publicly state that we are having our arm publicly twisted up our backs by Government diktat.

"We have to reject this scheme but I deeply resent being forced into a decision which is against what we want to do for the people of this town."

Councillor John Nash said developments such as the one proposed were needed in Weymouth but chairman Councillor Doug Hollings said climate change was happening and people had to accept it and adapt.

Planning manager Simon Williams said a possible way forward was to refuse the scheme but work with the agent to come up with something more acceptable to the agency.

Mr Gill said after the meeting: "I still cannot understand why this has been refused because, while I am not allowed to have bedrooms on the ground floor, there will still be dozens of homes in the same area which do have ground floor bedrooms including neighbouring properties.

"I understand the agency's concerns but their flood plans are up to 200 years ahead. Will these properties still be standing then? We want to build now."