TRAFFIC problems are likely to result if more than 30 flats are built on the site of two homes in Dorchester Road, Weymouth – according to neighbours of the site.

Developers want to knock down 8 and 10 Dorchester Road, next to the Rembrandt Hotel, and put up three blocks with 33 flats.

But several neighbours, in formal objections, say that could result in up to 60 cars wanting to use the site and only 22 on site parking spaces available – which will cause problems for surrounding roads, although this is denied by the developers.

A smaller application for part of the site was granted in July 2015, demolishing sheds and workshops to make way for 16 flats in three 1.5 storey blocks, but was never built.

The latest development has two blocks of flats at the front of the site and one, larger one, to the rear, with the majority of the flats one-bed and five two-bed.

Developers Brownsea Build is also proposing 22 car parking spaces with 36 cycle spaces on the site. It argues that although there might be a small shortfall on parking spaces it does not accept that there will be the problems neighbours fear, adding that the homes are much needed.

Said neighbour Mr Brian Harris: “In my opinion there are not enough car parking spaces for the development. This will cause problems for the residents of College Lane because cars will overspill into the Lane and park in the lane. There does not seem to have been enough thought given to access to these new buildings from Dorchester Road and it will make College Lane a thoroughfare to Fernhill/Melcolmbe Avenue. We the residents of this lane maintain the Lane at our own expense so have an interest in how the decision on access is going to affect us.

“Could you give some thought to removing access to College Lane from the Rembrandt car park as we already have enough speeding cars coming down the lane to access the Rembrandt Hotel even though the sign clearly states access is for residents only.”

Another neighbour, Mrs Susan Heath, says it is ‘shaming’ on the town that two traditional villas have been allowed to fall into disrepair, but she, like others is also concerned about access to the site: “The implied suggestion that 33 units on this narrow 'land locked' site can be given building access and then vehicle parking etc from what is effectively a congested hotel car park without allowing a new entrance on to the Dorchester Road, may tick the boxes on a planning drawing but will certainly cause lots of problems in reality for all local residents.

“I would request that access to College Lane from the Rembrandt Hotel Car Park be restricted to pedestrians and cyclists with a physical barrier allowing resident access only to and from Fernhill Avenue. This would go someway to protect the surface of this unmetalled road and restrict the pollution from vehicles passing the College Children’s Nursery which has its outside play area adjacent to the Lane.”

Dorset Council is recommending that the decision will be made by a planning officer, rather than come before the local planning committee.