Residents are outraged as a controversial plan to build hundreds of new homes was given the green light. 

There was resounding disappointment as Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s planning committee made the unanimous decision to approve outline planning permission, subject to conditions, for CG Fry's application 340 homes south of Nottington Lane and behind Dorchester Road. 

The well-attended meeting on Wednesday saw angry exchanges of words and countless objections from residents living nearby, but the committee defended the ‘enormously difficult’ decision explaining that approval of the application was unavoidable when being faced with a costly appeal and no major objections from relevant authorities.

The housing site is also allocated for residential development in the local plan.

Residents were particularly angry at the recent introduction of another access point off Nottington Lane which means that there will be two accesses off the narrow road, as well as an access point off Dorchester Road. 

Cllr Ian Bruce said he believed resident’s objections were misdirected, and addressed some concerns that the development would cause more flooding. 

He said: “You’re asking us to reject an application which has mitigating factors on something that is already happening. I cannot believe that giving planning permission here is going to do anything other than improve the flooding situation.”

This is the second time the committee has considered a housing scheme for this site. CG Fry's plan last year was rejected by the committee going against officers’ recommendations, prompting the applicant to lodge an appeal.

An inquiry is due to be heard this summer – but this is now unlikely to go ahead after CG Fry's latest application, virtually similar to last year's plan, was approved by the committee.

Cllr Cathy Page-Nash said she sympathised with members of the public saying that making this decision was 'one of the hardest things I've ever had to do'.

However Cllr Margaret Leicester believed it should have never been rejected last year, and warned that if it were to go to appeal, the council would be landed with a £80,000 legal bill.

Cllr Christine James said that profits made by the developer will be put towards the community infrastructure levy (CIL), funding new developments to raise funds for services in the area such as school and transport. 

She also addressed residents’ claims that the increased traffic levels would be dangerous for the narrow lane, saying: “I know there will be a lot more traffic but when you consider the number of cars that are on the road nationally, let alone locally, I don’t know how you’re meant to create more road space."

She sparked anger when she suggested many accidents on rural roads like Nottington Lane were caused by local residents.

The scheme is subject to a section 106 agreement to secure from the developer 35 per cent affordable housing at the site, an area of public open space of not less than 5 hectares and 1,000 square metres of defined/equipped natural area for play and four smaller play spaces.

Furious residents spoke out at the meeting as they pleaded with councillors to reject the scheme. 

Hilary Haliburton, who lives on Dorchester Road, said: “Actions have consequences. We will be among those most directly and immediately affected. 

“Our gardens back directly on to this field. We can expect some years of noise, mess, dust and disruption just a few feet from our homes."

Frederick McMillan, Ms Haliburton’s father, said: “I have lived on Dorchester Road for 20 years overlooking the proposed building site.

“I have witnessed very severe flooding in the whole area at least 12 times over the years. Further, the volume of traffic on Dorchester Road has increased.

“Having buildings just over the fence, I will be condemned to looking at grey walls for the rest of my life.”

Sally Wills, a Nottington resident, said she is disappointed at the decision which means introducing another access road off Nottington Lane. 

She said: “We are devastated that the access point is set in stone. My grandchildren go to school over there, they have to walk in the road.” 

Ms Wills also spoke publicly in the meeting, saying: “Increases in traffic will put off visitors, it has a lovely country feel. This will be lost as we will be urbanised.”

Speaking after the meeting, Helen Laffineur, also a Nottington resident, said: “It’s a sad day. Our house is from 1676, the trees and hedgerows probably date back to that time. That’s what attracts people to it. 

“We love the area, but we are realistic and we will continue to do what’s best for Nottington.”