Plan submitted for home near Jordan Hill Roman Temple

A planning application has been submitted to build a two-storey, three bedroom house on an area of green space at the rear of No. 41 and to the north east of No. 39 Bowleaze Coveway, Weymouth.

The plot, with associated driveway and courtyard as well as a garden area, would be close (25 metres) to the remains of the Romano-Celtic temple at Jordan Hill, thought to be built during the 4th century AD, which overlooks Bowleaze Cove.

Some residents claim that the property would affect the landscape surrounding the Scheduled Monument and potentially even overlook it, ruining the ‘sacred’ nature of the landmark.

The main concern is that ‘building a new house so close to this historic ruin would be out of character and detrimental to the enjoyment of visiting this site whilst out walking.’

Dorset Councillor Louie O’Leary of the Littlemoor and Preston ward is planning to speak at Weymouth Town Council's Planning and Licensing meeting tonight when the application will be discussed and councillors will be invited to comment.

Dorset Council will have the final say on the application.

Arial image of the proposed site. Inset: Louie O'Leary (Image: Maps/ Finnbarr Webster)

Cllr O'Leary said: “The main concern is the visual impact that it will have on the site. Although there are large houses in the area there are none overlooking like this one would.

“I have had a number of residents get in touch, one in favour and a number against.”

There are already a number of houses that back onto the temple with windows facing in its direction.

Jordan Hill Roman Temple looking towards the planned house (Image: NQ)

Historic England has objected to the application on heritage grounds, saying: "We should also set out that despite lack of an archaeological assessment it is our view we would still object to a proposal for a new dwelling in such a sensitive location."

Jordan Hill Roman Temple (Image: NQ)

Thirteen people have already written letters in response to the application, all of whom object.

One said: “This application is very close to the Roman Temple which has great significance within our area.

“It is visited by numerous people and therefore needs to be kept sacred. I feel any dwellings that close would overshadow the importance of this medieval site.”

The proposed home, built from stone with timber cladding, would have a 'minimal carbon footprint', a sustainability statement with the planning application says.

Meanwhile an ecological impact assessment notes that the site is 'located on land to the rear of 41 Bowleaze Coveway in Weymouth and is accessible via existing access on the eastern boundary. The site is surrounded by residential buildings to the east, west and south of the site."