Growing opposition to Bincleaves development in Weymouth

At a packed public meeting last week residents and councillors questioned Juno Developments over its plan for the former Bincleaves QinetiQ site, which includes 189 homes, a 65-bed care home, gym, swimming pool, spa, restaurant and offices.

Residents say the sites' access routes - Boot Hill and Hope Square - cannot cope with "a significant amount" of extra traffic - a "conservative" estimate would be 20 lorries or vans a day, and 400 car movements, plans show.

Meanwhile there are no plans for affordable homes, and the height of the proposed development could be detrimental to the World Heritage site, residents said.

Artist impression of the proposed Bincleaves site (Juno Developments)

The developer has since said it will look again at the designs submitted in its planning application to Dorset Council, and wants to work with local residents and councillors.

"Site's pollution will affect the whole of Weymouth"

Air quality on congested Boot Hill - and Dorset Council's lack of action over a broken pollution monitor - was also of major concern.

Resident Steve Elsworth said the council's "complacency" over its statutory duty to monitor air quality and address pollution hotspots such as Boot Hill, is "a shame." 

Mr Elsworth said: "The proposed mega-development at Bincleaves will make things worse for the beleaguered residents of Boot Hill - but air pollution knows no boundaries.

Weymouth's Boot Hill is a pollution hot-spot (Image: Dorset Echo)

"The increased pollution reacts with sunlight to produce tropospheric ozone which will affect children and vulnerable adults across the whole of Weymouth.

"And in addition, the new WHO guidelines identify a new pollutant - microparticles from diesel fumes called PM 2.5 - which is causing significant sickness and death. Dorset Council has one meter measuring PM 2.5 - on Boot Hill - which has been out of action since 2019. They have no plans to replace it."

• Click here to read the full letter on additional pollution

"Scheme that will benefit the area"

After concerns were raised at the meeting the Echo contacted Juno Developments for comment.

Director James Dean said: “The planning application has been supported by technical assessments of the outline scheme, which includes the impact upon air quality.

READ MORE:

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• Weymouth Newtons Cove development 'could start in 2022'
• 'Boot Hill is already one of our most polluted areas - Bincleaves development will make it worse' 
• Levels of nitrogen dioxide on Rodwell Road some of the highest in Dorset, report shows
• Weymouth residents hit out at pollution and noise on busy road

"As a consultant team we are undertaking a review of the scheme in respect of the viability of the proposals, as well as the design of the part of the scheme that would break the skyline.

Aerial view of the Bincleaves site (Juno Developments)

"In respect of the traffic impacts, it was raised by councillors that the re-introduction of the previous use by QinetiQ Bincleaves would also result in an increase in trip generation to the site, however we are seeking to review the proposals to understand the impact to local roads further in response to the information provided by residents."

He added: "We will continue to work with the local community and councillors as it is our aspiration to bring forward a scheme which benefits the area.”

Dorset Council has been contacted for a response.

Public comments can be made on the Newtons Cove/Bincleaves planning application until March 29 2022.

To do so visit Dorset Council's Planning portal, reference: P/OUT/2022/00852