Changes have been made to three blocks of new flats to be built on Dorchester Road, Weymouth, between the Rembrandt Hotel and Cranford House.

The original proposal for 31 homes has now been increased to 33.

Under the agreement the developers will have to pay an index-linked contribution of £87,500 which Dorset Council can used towards social housing schemes elsewhere in the area.

The developers argued that the scheme would not be viable if they had to provide a minimum of 35% ‘affordable’ homes on the site.

The original proposal had been for 31 flats in three blocks – two side-by-side fronting Dorchester Road and one to the rear with access off College Lane. The majority will be one-bed.

Dorset Echo:

Two additional flats have now been agreed by Dorset Council for the development after negotiations with council officers.

The consent also includes permission to demolish a pair of semi-detached homes on the half hectare site which have been derelict for a number of years.

The proposed road access to the new blocks will be via Dorchester Road and College Lane, alongside the northern boundary. The private road access also leads to a small car parking area used by the adjacent Rembrandt hotel.

There had been a number of public comments about the scale and density of the flats, together with concerns over traffic using College Lane.

Some neighbours in Ricketts Close had also said they feared a loss of light and privacy, although the developers had reduced the size of the rear block, to minimise this.

Weymouth Civic Society claim that the scheme is an overdevelopment and the buildings too high, a view shared by some objectors who said it would be a significant change to the character of the area.

The site will have more than 20 car parking spaces, some with electric charge points, and space for cycle parking.

Developers Brownsea Build argued that although there will be a shortfall of three car parking spaces it does not accept that there will be the problems neighbours fear over parking.