OBJECTORS are worried about a proposal to build four new homes on Portland because the site is within 50 metres of a known landfill site.

Medway Homes wants to build the three-bedroom houses on an overgrown site of disused workshops and caravans on land south of Weston Street.

But tomorrow's meeting of Weymouth and Portland planning and traffic committee will be told that more than a dozen objections have been received about the scheme. Members, who are to visit the site, will be told that officers suspect the land may be contaminated and that Medway Homes is responsible for a safe development and secure occupancy of the site.

Residents are also worried about loss of habitat, flora, fauna and protected trees while other concerns include potential archaeology, access, design, noise, vibration, pollution, parking and loss of privacy. A report to the meeting says that three of the proposed houses would form a terrace while the fourth home would be detached.

Councillors will hear that the environmental health officers have noted the nearby landfill site and say a condition needs to be imposed on the developer to provide planners with an assessment on the nature and extent of any site contamination before work starts.

Natural England does not object to the scheme provided there is a condition that reptiles be moved from the area to a suitable receptor site.

The report says that better access and a turning head does depend on using two small pieces of land outside the development boundary but right next to the site. Officers believe that, for the amenity of residents and the benefit of the scheme, using such land 'would not be unreasonable' although it would not be fully in accordance with policy.