Appeal Dismissed for Former Methodist Church Flats Conversion in Weymouth

A proposal to transform a former church, which has stood vacant since 2021, has been rejected for the second occasion. Dorset Council initially denied an application in January from London-based developer Capital Securities Ltd to convert the former Methodist church, situated on Portland Road in Wyke Regis, Weymouth, into six residential units. Subsequently, Capital Securities Ltd lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate to challenge the council’s ruling. The Planning Inspectorate dismissed this appeal on Friday, stating that the existing structure is prominent and “positively contributes to the character and appearance of the area.” Planning inspector Alexander O’Doherty commented that the suggested modifications would have been “unacceptable and harmful” and would have been inconsistent with the council’s planning guidelines. Earlier this year, the council also voiced concerns regarding the potential for additional vehicles in an already congested locality, along with issues concerning the dimensions of the planned flats. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that dozens of residents submitted written protests to the authority opposing the scheme.