A HUGE housing scheme earmarked for the edge of Weymouth looks set to go ahead despite concerns about traffic and flooding.

A 340-homes scheme with an area of public parkland at its heart is proposed for farmland between Nottington Lane and Dorchester Road in the Wey Valley.

Developers CG Fry has amended original plans submitted last year in response to issues raised by locals, and has presented a scheme which reflects the historical and natural environment of the area.

But residents living nearby remain very concerned about a raft of issues including increased traffic, potential flooding problems, the loss of a natural habitat, and the pressure on local services.

The land in question is earmarked in the local plan as a development site and planners will be urged to back the scheme when they meet next Wednesday, subject to conditions.

Outline planning permission – the principle of development – is only sought at this stage with detail about layout and appearance coming later.

The development would be served by a network of roads which would connect Nottington Lane at two points with a further access off Dorchester Road.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council will require the developer to do things in return as part of of its planning obligations including providing 35 per cent affordable housing and some play and open spaces, and making financial contributions towards local projects including an extension to the local primary and secondary schools across the road, and improvements at Redlands and Weymouth Swimming Pool.

A report to the planning committee says the 16.25 hectare development site would make a valuable contribution towards the borough’s housing land supply and sits within a sustainable location.

Its says while the loss of the open gap between Nottington and Broadwey would have an impact, its loss would not be harmful when compared to the benefits of the scheme.

The report adds: “The development is not considered to have a significant impact on the wider landscape, nor is it considered to result in substantial harm to nearby heritage assets. The proposed development would likewise result in abatement to existing flood risk issues within the area.

“Any impact on local community facilities would be off-set by financial contributions towards (projects). In addition, the proposed development would be a substantial project and would contribute to the local economy during the construction phase.”

MORE than 100 letters, backed by a petition, have been sent to the council objecting to the scheme.

Terry Gant of Nottington has expressed concerns about flooding in the area for several years. He is also concerned about the increase in traffic on what is effectively a ‘country lane’ and points out new development in Chickerell is already affecting local roads.

In a letter to the council he states: “My worry is that if we had a ‘flood event’ like we have had in the past then not only would we have to deal with water coming down the river but also the overflow from the development.”

Rosemary Gordon-Steward says in a letter: “The Wey is a tidal river where the water level rises rapidly after heavy rainfall causing the river to back up onto the meadow.”

And Patricia Gouldstone says: “This site is not suitable for such a development and should be rejected by planners.”