PLANS are going on display for hundreds of homes off Dorchester Road in Weymouth.

A consultation event is being held for the proposed development of up to 340 homes to land south of Nottington Lane.

But the proposal has already attracted some concerns that it would ‘transform’ the area.

Plans published online by developers CG Fry and Son Ltd acknowledge issues including access, flooding and environmental concerns.

An outline planning application is due to be submitted in January.

Cliff Lane, director of planning agents Savills, said residents will be consulted throughout the planning process.

“One thing to emphasise is that we are in the early stages of this development and we have the ability to amend it based on what comments we receive.

“We have got consultants looking at the issues and obviously we will ensure our site is safe from flooding and will not cause flooding elsewhere.”

He added: “There is a housing crisis in the county. In the emerging Local Plan this is an allocated site, hence us going ahead in order to help deliver the housing need as early as possible.”

Weymouth and Portland councillor Pam Nixon, who represents Wey Valley, said several residents had already contacted her with concerns.

She added: “Building here has been discussed on and off for many years now and I do feel for the residents in that area, who will certainly be affected by it, especially on the left hand side of Dorchester Road.

“The questions I am being asked are around access. It is certainly going to transform that section of Dorchester Road yet again. It’s gone from being very busy to being relatively quiet now we have the new road, and if this goes ahead, it will become very busy again.”

Cllr Nixon said she would be attending the consultation event next Tuesday.

A resident who did not wish to be named said: “I am extremely concerned about how the infrastructure is supposed to support such a big development.

“The plans say main access from Nottington Lane – I just don’t see how this road is supposed to support the high volume of traffic that would come with a housing estate. The road is going to have to be ripped up and widened.

“Lorries and other big vehicles really struggle to get down here, so imagine the number of big vehicles that will be needed for the building of this.

“It also doesn’t take much of a heavy rain spell for the road to flood.”

n The consultation event takes place from 1pm to 7.30pm at Redlands Community Sports Hub on Dorchester Road on Tuesday, December 16.