WEYMOUTH and Portland Borough Council’s planning and traffic committee was split by the decision on the development of the Greenhill Hotel with seven in favour and five against.

Robbie Dunster, vice-chairman of the committee, said the plans are ‘excellent’ and allow the character of the house to be retained.

He said: “It’s making the best use of the land and the access to the house has been well thought out.”

Mr Dunster said maintaining access to the front of the building would destroy the plans and create the danger of cars backing out on to the main road.

He said: “The point is that access down Brunswick Terrace has been well thought out.

“It takes into account all the considerations about pedestrians.”

He added: “Access down that way is perfectly safe and will not cause any problems to Brunswick Terrace.”

Mr Dunster said there’s ‘not a chance’ of more properties on Greenhill being given vehicle access onto the promenade.

“We are talking about literally feet where cars actually travel on to the promenade.

“If you started talking about next door it would be turned down without any commotion I would’ve thought.”