An appeal over a rejected plan to build 32 affordable homes on a field in Weymouth has not been supported by Weymouth Town Council. 

The field off Mandeville Road, Wyke Regis, leading to what was once Value House, has been the subject of several applications to build over recent years – varying from 90 to 36 homes.

The latest plan, from Mr JB George, was for 32 ‘affordable’ 3-bed starter homes.

It was initially rejected by Dorset Council on the grounds that it would have a "harmful" impact on the heritage coast. 

READ MORE: Major affordable housing plan in Weymouth refused

There were also concerns that the proposals could result in surface water flooding in the locality as well as how it could impact ecology in the area. 

An appeal document has subsequently been prepared on behalf of Mr George addressing the objections to the application. 

Regarding concerns to its impact on the heritage coast, the document read: "The site is conferred with landscape value because of its location within the Heritage Coast boundary.

An aerial photo of the siteAn aerial photo of the site (Image: Google Maps) "Without knowledge of this designation, however, one would consider the site to be unremarkable and surrounded by land uses and elements that detract from landscape value"

It also says there would be enough room to accommodate a "suitable drainage system" and that ecological mitigation strategy was included as part of the initial application documents. 

The previous application in early 2022 led to a petition with more than 145 signatures, with objections from Chickerell Town Council, which had again objected to the latest plan.

It claimed the site is not within the Defined Development Boundary and claims that while the site is just outside the recognised Wildlife Corridor it will still cause significant disruption for wildlife while extra traffic along Camp Road will add to the disturbance to local residents.

The appeal was discussed at a meeting of the planning and licensing committee at Weymouth Town Council on Tuesday.

Councillors agreed unanimously to uphold the original decision not to support the plan. 

The committee acts as an advisory board and can submit comments to the plans, but Dorset Council will have the overall decision on whether it is approved.