Development could finally begin at an iconic Weymouth site – almost three years after plans were given the green light.

Proposals to confirm the appearance and landscaping of a homes and restaurant complex to replace the Ferrybridge Inn at Wyke Regis have been submitted to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

Outline planning permission was granted by the planning committee in October 2015.

The plans have been drawn up by site owners Ferrybridge Developments LLP, which is linked to the Ilchester Estates.

The pub closed in August 2015 despite a 640-strong petition to save it from the bulldozers, and more than 100 letters of objection.

When the original application was submitted in 2014, developers said that demolishing the pub was the only viable option, because the building was in such poor condition.

Two outline applications were approved three years ago – one proposing 22 flats and houses and a larger scheme of 29 residential units together with a pub/restaurant. The new application seeks approval for reserved matters for the second scheme.

An artist’s impression drawn up by Morgan Carey Architects shows the plans are for homes across three floors, plus a roof. The first floor would be Portland Roach stone with Portland Whitbed stone coping, while the second and third floors and the roof would be white roughcast.

Space for a pub, café or restaurant would be provided in the tip of the development looking towards Portland and a car park would sit behind this, with a new highway access to be created off Portland Beach Road.

The footpath on Portland Beach Road next to the proposed development would be widened to provide a footpath/cycleway of a minimum width of three metres.

In the centre of the development, planners intend to leave space for a courtyard. This would be filled with various salt-tolerant grass species such as Perennial Rye Grass, Slender Red Fescue and Hard Fescue, as well as trees such as Silver Birch.

Native plant species which are hardy enough to withstand the coastal location will also be used across the site. Developers said this is in response to the site’s proximity to an important natural habitat.

The plans could reignite concerns that development at the site may hinder hopes to build a western relief route. In 2014 Weymouth Civic Society called for the path of the route to be safeguarded. But when the outline plans were granted approval in 2015 developers told the planning committee that neither scheme would prevent the new road being built.

The plans are under consideration and will be discussed by the Weymouth and Portland Borough Council planning committee at a date to be confirmed.

People are being invited to have their say on the proposals, and have until Sunday, July 22 to do so. Search WP/18/00388/RES on the Dorset for You planning portal.