OPPOSITION is mounting to a scheme to build new homes on the site on an old school overlooking the Jurassic Coast.

Developers propose to build on the old Underhill Junior School site at Killicks Hill on Portland, demolishing some of the buildings and converting some others to provide 21 new homes.

While some have welcomed moves to do something with the run-down site – it has become a target for vandals since closing in 2014 – there is concern about development at this prominent location.

Portland Town Council has backed residents in registering its objection to the scheme after listening to concerns.

It heard from both the applicant and opponents to the scheme at a council meeting before making its decision.

Concerns over loss of views, traffic and parking problems, impact on the landscape, cliff stability, and over development at the site have all been expressed.

There is also concern that due to the site’s location overlooking the coast the houses will be sold at a premium with some of them snapped up as second homes.

The applicant suggests the scheme cannot viably support an affordable housing contribution and will sell the properties at market rates.

There had been hopes that the school site would be given over to the community as Portland Community Partnership led a bid to register it as a community asset to protect it from development.

But Dorset County Council put the site up for auction in 2015.

Partnership chairman Andy Matthews said the group welcomed the fact the scheme would retain the majority of the main building and make improvements to the area.

But he said there was a general agreement following consultation by the PCP there should be a joined-up approach to the use of redundant school buildings on the island, and there should be a mixed use development at this site, preferably facilities for elderly people or employment opportunities for the young.

Mr Matthews added: “There is a worry that some of these houses will be bought as second homes as I’m sure they’ll be sold at a premium.

“There are quite a few already on the island. Underhill is known as affordable Cornwall. But there are deprived communities here too.”

Resident Lucy Grieve, who has since been co-opted onto the town council, claimed the proposals, which would include a row of eight houses, would “obliterate iconic panoramic views of Chesil Beach” from a stretch of the coast path above Chesil Cove.

She said: “Four of the houses in particular are situated on higher ground and will tower over the 1913 Portland stone façade so familiar to generations of Portlanders and visitors to the island.

“These houses would also dominate the view looking up from Chesil Cove.”

A design statement from architects working on behalf of the applicant, Bayview Developments Ltd, says the scheme has been ‘carefully considered in relation to the surrounding context and needs of the community’.

The architectural team has worked in conjunction with Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, consultants and advisors to create a new development which respects and complements the area.

It says the scheme will provide ‘well designed, highly sustainable, low energy homes’ and there has been ‘careful consideration’ to neighbouring properties.

Clovens Road will be widened and improved.

Residents living near the site have expressed concerns.

Dorothea Williams said: “It’s too big a development for the area. There’s not enough parking around here as it is. It seems to be too big a plan for a small area.”

Tim and Holly Upton said: “It’s crazy. The new houses will look right in to our back garden. We only moved here a few years ago because of the views and this new development doesn’t fit in with the feel of the place.”

John Heather, 80, who lives opposite the school, said: I’m pleased they are doing something with it because at the moment it is a target. Windows have been smashed and it’s boarded up.”

The application will be considered by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council at a later date.