STABLES and a barn could make way for four houses at Martleaves House, South Road, Wyke Regis.

Dorset Council’s area planning committee will consider the application this week when they meet in Dorchester.

The scheme is one of several which has been submitted for the site in recent years - with planning officers recommending approval for this, latest, application.

It asks for the removal of stables and a redundant barn and to build four detached houses and two double car ports. The houses would be to the north of the main house and the public footpath to the north with access via an existing entrance off South Road. The homes are proposed to be arranged around a courtyard with each home having a modest garden.

Weymouth Town Council has objected to the proposal saying that the site is outside the development boundary. Seven letters to Dorset Council object to the application claiming that four homes is too many for the site and that there will be an adverse effect on wildlife with the extra properties adding to traffic and parking problems.

But a report to Thursday’s planning committee says: “Overall, officers are satisfied that there are no material harmful effects that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the social, economic and environmental benefits of the development... there are no obvious and adverse planning impacts to justify a refusal of planning permission.”