A HOUSING development off Weymouth’s Watery Lane looks sunk - because of flood risk fears.

A housing development of seven properties is being proposed by Build Rite Ltd for a parcel of land – which locals say frequently floods – next to the Pucksey Brook stream at Upwey.

The principle of development is only requested at this stage.

However residents and conservation groups have grave concerns about the development, citing concerns about flooding, increased traffic, effect on wildlife the landscape, and the fact it’s outside the agreed development boundary.

Objecting in a letter, Mike Goodman of the Upwey Society said: “Watery Lane has a long history of flooding and sewage overflows into the highway, into adjacent watercourses and the River Wey.

“In recent times nine new dwellings, a covered swimming pool and numerous extensions have all been approved along this rural lane with no upgrade to the services that support them.”

The Environment Agency is also objecting on flood risk grounds, despite the applicant revising earlier proposals to try and mitigate any risks. 

It is mainly for this reason, and its ‘detrimental effect’ on the landscape, that the scheme is being recommended for refusal at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s planning committee next Wednesday.

A report says: “The applicants have suggested that in revising their proposals, they had resolved the flood risk issues that had been identified by the Environment Agency. 

"However it can be seen that the Agency has still objected to this proposal on flood risk grounds. 

"Residential development here in the face of concerns over flood risk would not meet the sequential test, nor would it be sustainable.”