Flats plan for former church rejected over parking

Dozens of people objected to plans to convert an old Methodist church

Proposals to build six flats in a former church that has not been used since 2021 have been rejected by a council.

Dozens of residents wrote to Dorset Council about the plans for the former Methodist building on Portland Road in Wyke Regis, Weymouth.

Concerns raised were mainly focused on the fear of it bringing extra cars to an already congested area, as well as the size of the proposed flats.

Dorset Council rejected the plans because of changes being proposed to the outside of the building, and because it deemed the amenity space for potential residents unsuitable.

The building has not been used since 2021

The building is next to a park and opposite local shops.

At least one new side entrance was proposed with a flat roof rear extension, used as a kitchen, likely to be removed because it is in a poor condition.

The site only has a limited open area around it and there is no room for parking, according to London-based Capital Securities Ltd.

The plans did include eight secure cycle bays, including two charging points for electric bikes.

A local councillor said the proposed flats were too small

Parking on nearby streets was "already impossible", according to Weymouth town councillor Lucy Hamilton, who submitted a personal objection to the plans.

She also said, whilst the proposed one and two-bed flats might meet minimum space requirements, having only four flats would make the space "truly liveable".

Dorset councillor for the area, Brian Heatley, also supported residents’ concerns about parking, although he also welcomed what he said was "a good use of a distinguished building" with a local need for smaller homes.