A FORMER caravan sales and storage site off Littlemoor Road, Weymouth will be developed with 24 flats, eight of them ‘affordable.’

The scheme, behind the Goulds garden centre, won the backing of Weymouth and Portland planning committee members on Wednesday – despite being on the edge of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

It will see three blocks, each of two storeys, with parking to the rear.

A previous application, for 36 flats in higher blocks, had been withdrawn after concerns were raised about the height and impact on the area by the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty partnership and the council’s urban design officer.

An earlier application, for five detached homes on the site, was approved on appeal, in 2007, but was never built.

“The layout for where it is, is ideal. I’m for it,” said Cllr John Ellis at the committee meeting, welcoming the reduction from 36 to 24 homes.

A further ‘Reserved Matters’ application will be needed in order to set the design and layout of the scheme, amongst other details.

Mark Butcher, Principal Designer at A1 Plans, said: “Although the site presented some design challenges due to the AONB location, it has been an exciting and rewarding opportunity to design a scheme which provides much needed housing whilst enhancing the area visually. The sweeping grass roof design reflects a rolling hill backdrop which we hope will set a benchmark for quality design in future development of the area.”

Cllr Ray Nowak, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s Briefholder for Environment and Sustainability, said:

“I am pleased this application, which sits within a defined development boundary, has been approved. I look forward to seeing the detailed Reserved Matters application in the near future.”

Added Cllr Gill Taylor, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s Briefholder for Housing: “It’s good to see the council approve more housing developments in the borough. We are in need of more homes for our residents to live in, this is why we launched our Opening Doors Programme.

“As part of this programme, we have started a Home Ownership Register to learn more about housing demand and find out the size and locations of homes that people want. As part of this we also forward on details of upcoming developments and opportunities to own a home.

“I would recommend anyone looking to own their own home to sign up to the register.”