Two women say they are 'furious' about plans to build five houses on a patch of green land outside their homes on Portland.

Christine Kerr, 70, and Jeanette Rycroft, 62, live in Cheyne Close in Southwell and are fighting a planning application which they say will block their view over the cliffs.

An application was made by Betterment Properties to build five houses on an area of grass opposite 15-19 Cheyne Close in April last year and it was rejected by Dorset Council in October. Portland Town Council, acting as a consultee in the planning process, objected to the plan "on the grounds of over development, loss of green space, and potential highway issues."

The neighbours also put forward a petition against the plan, signed by 55 people, during the planning process.

However, an appeal was made to the Secretary of State this year and the fate of the plot will be decided by the Planning Inspectorate.

Ms Rycroft raised concerns about the infrastructure and lack of facilities in the area.

She added: "I know that you have no right to a view, but 31 years ago when I bought my house I remember coming to Portland to look at houses. I bought my house because of the view."

Ms Rycroft added that the grassy area in front of her house was important to the community and held some particularly fond memories for her: "My grandkids play on the grass and all the other kids in the area play on it. In the summer they set up goalposts and that kind of thing.

"My son grew up here and my grandkids grew up here. They come to me and they play out the front."

As well as the development itself, which the two women say will give them "a view of brick walls," Mrs Kerr also raised the issue of parking. The plan includes seven parking spaces for five houses and she said "the majority of houses have at least two cars each."

She added that the problem with parking in the area is made worse by bird watchers and rock climbers, making it "absolutely choc-a-bloc in the summer."

Ms Rycroft said she wanted to warn other Portland residents: "Portland needs to be aware that this is happening because there will be other people on the island thinking they are safe because they have a nice green area outside their house but this could happen to them too."

The Echo has made several attempts to contact Betterment Properties for comment.