CHANGES to a scheme for 18 homes on the site of a Weymouth church has removed a guarantee that most of the homes will remain affordable.

One neighbour has claimed it will only be a matter of time before the 12 flats, not covered by a new agreement, become second homes.

But Sovereign Housing, which intends to develop the former St Nicholas Church site in Buxton Road, says it is committed to keeping all the homes as affordable properties and has written to Dorset Council pledging to do so.

A planning application, which was approved in July, came back to councillors this week (Thursday, December 3) because of changes in the funding agreement to develop the site, together with some minor changes to the original design.

Planning officer Bob Burden told the area planning committee that the problem arose over the Homes England funding model which will back Sovereign Housing to carry out the development.

He said that under their terms the most Dorset Council was now able to insist on as designated affordable homes was six of the 18 flats.

Mr Burden said he was as confident that Sovereign would stick to their intention to keep all the homes affordable, but the council was unable to now tie the development down legally to being 100 per cent affordable and could only manage agreement on six of the two-bed flats.

Several councillors said they had only been persuaded at the outset to approve the scheme, which is in a conservation area, because of the promise it would be 100 per cent affordable.

Residents, and the town’s Civic Society, had objected to the proposed four storey block because of the effect it would have on the area.

Said Weymouth Civic Society: “The design would in our view be harmful to the character and appearance of the local setting in this part of the Connaught Road Conservation Area, and out of keeping with the architecture of the fine Victorian villas which characterise the area.”

Councillors heard that the original design has been altered in an attempt to make it fit in with the nearby homes and had also moved the building to maintain the views of a property behind. Obscure glazing would also be used of windows overlooking next door homes with other changes to windows.

Cllr Brian Heatley, one of the ward councillors, said that he would have been unhappy had the original proposal been for just six of the properties to be affordable, but accepted that the council was now in no position to argue if it wanted the area to be provided with 18 smaller homes.

Cllr Kate Wheller said she supported the development and the benefit it would bring to the church but was critical of Homes England for its rigid policies which caused the problems after the original consent had been given in the summer.

“I’m too long in the tooth to be entirely trusting but I think on balance we should support Sovereign and hope they do deliver,” she said.

Cllr John Worth said he too was prepared to “take a leap of faith” with Sovereign.

“They’ve given their commitment that they will deliver 100per cent affordable housing,” he said.