RESIDENTS have been branded ‘selfish and rude’ by councillors after claiming a possible development with affordable housing in Weymouth would cause problems in the community.

The comments came as councillors discussed an outline application to build six two-storey houses on land in Kingsbere Road, Weymouth, at a borough council planning and traffic committee meeting on Wednesday.

The land is currently occupied by a bungalow.

Kingsbere Road is characterised by bungalows and chalet bungalows, Bodkin Lane by two-storey houses and Budmouth Avenue by a mix of bungalows and raised bungalows.

Many houses have sweeping views of the coast and Portland.

A report told councillors that the application was met with 22 objections from nearby residents, who said the proposed houses were out of character, too close to site boundaries and would overshadow existing properties.

Existing residents also said there would be a ‘loss of privacy’ to their homes and too much traffic from residents in the new houses in an ‘already busy location’.

Speaking at the meeting’s public forum, resident John Jenkins said the development ‘would stick out like a sore thumb’ and suggested there should be four single-storey houses built instead.

David Cox said the application was ‘overdevelopment’ and would further detriment local wildlife.

Others raised concerns that affordable housing tenants living in the new development could cause problems in the community.

Councillors reassured the public that an outline application meant the area may be developed, and was in no way a final development plan.

A report told councillors that if the houses were built, a minimum of 35 per cent would have to be classed as affordable housing.

Cllr Christine James said: “It’s selfish of people that live in the area not to think of others that want to be housed, live somewhere and contribute to society.

“The houses wouldn’t create any invasion of privacy and the attitude of parking already being a problem is also quite selfish.

“Saying that affordable housing would impact on the community is detrimental and rude. There could be just as many problems from privately owned homes.”

Cllr Kevin Brookes agreed and said the previous bungalow on the site had no houses around it.

He added: “It’s a little bit selfish and a shame that residents there now should look at this site and say to others ‘we don’t want you to have the nice setting and the nice place to live that we have enjoyed for the last 20 or 30 years.’

“If the site can be developed then it should be.”

Councillors agreed the suggested recommendation to delegate granting planning permission for the approval.

This would be subject to a section 106 agreement that ensures 35 per cent of the properties approved are for affordable housing.

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