AN APPLICATION to redevelop the site of a former school into housing is being recommended for approval.

Revised plans for West Lulworth Primary School were submitted by Willton Homes last year after its previous proposal was refused by Purbeck District Council.

And despite opposition from West Lulworth Parish Council, the latest scheme has been recommended for approval ahead of it being considered tomorrow.

The school closed in 2016 and the following year the first application to redevelop the site was submitted.

It sought permission to convert the existing buildings into houses and build five new ones but was refused due to concerns about its scale and that it would be “overdevelopment” of the site.

Last year, new plans were submitted following discussions with council planning officers.

If approved, the latest scheme would allow six homes to be built alongside the conversion of the school building into three more.

Opposition has been provided by the parish council centred on concerns about the “significant” risk of flooding of the site.

However, a report by council planning officer Peter Walters says that this can be addressed through conditions attached to his recommendation that the application is approved.

Members of the Dorset Council eastern area planning committee will consider the plans at its meeting on Wednesday.

Mr Walters’ report says: “Despite a larger number of houses being proposed for the site, officers do no consider that the site would be overdeveloped by the proposal.

“The scale of the houses is reduced from the previous scheme – they are all two or three bedrooms and of a modest size.

“Officers consider this to be a more appropriate scale for houses in the area.”

The report adds that the council drainage engineer was “satisfied” that the risk of flooding could be managed.

Councillors will make a final decision on the scheme at their meeting on Wednesday in Verwood.