PROPOSALS to build housing on Weymouth town centre car parks could kill off high street shops, residents and the town council have warned.

The concerns have been sparked by the current Dorset Council Local Plan consultation, which closes on Monday March 15.

Included in the document - which sets out a blueprint for new developments in the county up to 2038 - is an appendix that sets out potential for around 466 new homes to be built on car parks.

Sites listed for potential development include 52 new homes at Commercial Road car parks; 32 at Weymouth Bowling Club, Commercial Road; and 18 at Weymouth Station forecourt and car park.

Also included are plans for 50 new homes at Westhaven Hospital and 64 at the Post Office Sorting Office - as well as at the former bowling alley site in Weymouth town centre and North Quay council offices, as previously reported.

Meanwhile the documents also include proposals for building on car park land adjoining Southill shopping centre.

Dorset Council has stated nothing in set in stone - the sites have been proposed as a way to meet government housing targets.

It says that many of the proposals are 'not new' - amid accusations from Weymouth Town Council that many of the plans included in the 2021 Local Plan have been copied and pasted from old documents created by the former borough council in 2015.

Resident Brenda Pickett said: "Weymouth’s historic centre is already threatened by the rise of internet and out-of-town shopping.

"The car parks on Commercial Road can be reached by a very direct route from the main traffic system without impinging on the core of the town centre, while also providing excellent pedestrian access to the shops. A number of these popular and busy car parks are described in the consultation document as an area ‘currently under-utilised in terms of both development of land and pedestrian footfall.'

"If these car parks are lost, the likelihood is that people will simply ‘vote with their feet’ and go elsewhere or on to the internet, further hastening the deterioration of the town centre. The shops and other businesses need all the help they can get. Is this the way to go about it?"

Meanwhile, in a draft response to the Local Plan consultation, which will be discussed at a public council meeting this evening, Weymouth Town Council states: "(The council is) concerned that all these sites are considered for housing development.

"If car parking (is created) out of the town centre, during peak times, then some sites might become available for development - but not all of them. "

A Dorset Council spokesman said: "Not all strategic housing and economic land availability assessment (SHLAA) sites are proposed for allocation in most cases. In this case a number of the SHLAA sites (probably all) that have been referenced are also subject to allocation as part of the ‘WEY2: Weymouth town centre strategy.’

"These proposals are not new, they are included within the current adopted West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland Local Plan and are included within the adopted Weymouth Town Centre masterplan.

"We are aware of the issues facing our town centres and current work is based on previous evidence. Given the uncertainties around the effects of Brexit, rise of internet shopping and covid pandemic, we are commissioning a detailed study to help us decide how the role/function of town centres may change.

"In section 6 of the plan there is a policy relating to car park standards but it’s important to recognise that there are positives connected to the redevelopment of the car parks. They provide exciting opportunities for regeneration and enhancement of the town centre. There are also policies protecting our historic environment in section 2 of the plan.

"Ultimately the council can finalise its position on this matter taking account of the responses and the new evidence that we intend to gather."

Weymouth Town Council is to host a meeting to discuss the proposals at 7pm this evening, Tuesday, when councillors will discuss feedback from residents and their response to the consultation.

To submit your question to Weymouth Town Council, or to request to attend the virtual meeting, email office@weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01305 239839.

The meeting will be live-streamed on Weymouth Town Council’s Facebook page at facebook.com/WeymouthWTC

To view the Dorset Council Local Plan and take part in the consultation visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/planning-buildings-land/planning-policy/dorset-council-local-plan.aspx

There are also paper copies of the plan available at local libraries through their click and collect services.