THE developer behind plans for small homes in the grounds of a large Weymouth house has lodged an appeal with the Secretary of State after the proposals were refused.

But town councillors have vowed to continue to fight against the proposed scheme.

As reported, in March this year A J Developments was refused permission for three, three-bed linked homes with undercroft parking at number 15 Cranford Avenue.

Dorset Council rejected the proposal on the grounds of flood risk, appearance of the buildings not being in keeping with the area, poor use of materials, and overlooking of neighbouring properties.

The refusal also cited “an undesirable form of backland development which would be at odds with the established character of the area, would undermine local distinctiveness and would have a detrimental effect on the surrounding properties by reason of overbearing impacts to neighbouring gardens.”

The council also commented on the risk of flooding at the site and said there are other places in the area which could accommodate the scale of the development, but with a lower flood risk.

In a bid to overrule that decision the developer has now lodged an appeal with the Secretary of State.

The developer said the three family-sized homes take their inspiration from nearby Willow Court, 'while the undercroft parking arrangement is a clever design response to the surface water issue.'

However Weymouth Town Council still has strong objections - stating that the proposed new dwellings do not meet national guidelines for house sizes.

At a meeting of the town council's Planning and Licensing Committee, councillor Gill Taylor said: "The houses are extremely small - I've got a bee in my bonnet about very very small houses - and these are smaller than the national guidelines for house sizes.

"I think in this country we're just really good at building houses that are too small for people."

The committee also reiterated that the council's previous objections still stand. These include design and visual appearance; the proposed houses being too tightly packed together; risk of flooding, and loss of trees.

Following the discussion the committee took a unanimous vote to register an objection with the Secretary of State.