TOWN councillors have backed residents fighting a new application for homes at the end of Prospect Place, Upwey.

Cllr Kevin Brookes said the new Palmer Homes application for the site was only slightly different from the first application for 18 homes which Weymouth Town Council had opposed and Dorset Council planners then rejected.

He said the key issue remained the importance of the officially recognised ‘local gap’ and said that submitting a slightly changed application did not alter that fact.

Cllr Graham Winter said the applicant was “having a laugh” in trying again with an amended application .

“Are they trying to wear us down by making minor alterations? It won’t work,” he said.

The town council’s planning committee voted unanimously to ask Dorset Council to reject the new application.

The one-hectare site lies within the village Conservation Area to the west of Dorchester Road with access via the unmade Prospect Place. The site is recognised as an 'Important Open Gap' in the Local Plan.

Palmer Homes say the scheme will include social housing properties and help meet a shortfall in local housing need. The company claims that there is support from some residents for their application which would result in the access track being improved.

Their outline application, if approved, will also include the demolition of dilapidated farm buildings and an old greenhouse.

Residents have repeated their arguments that the 'character' of the area will be ruined if the additional homes are agreed. Several have written to Dorset Council to express concerns about extra traffic and the effect it may have on their underground services and foundations.

The last application attracted almost 100 objections – some of which have written again to oppose the latest scheme, including the River Wey Society, the Upwey Society, Dorset CPRE and the Weymouth Civic Society.

Palmer Homes argue that there is precedent for development in the area and nothing in the Local Plan which precludes using the site. They also say that if allowed, the homes will only have a small effect on the open gap with additional trees as part of the landscaping to mitigate the appearance of the development.