TWO proposed developments in an area of Blandford plagued by parking problems have failed to win the support of the town council.

Residents came along to a planning meeting at the town hall on Monday to raise their objections to the plans, which would see six new flats at Damory Court Street and two houses and a flat at nearby Damory Street.

Andrew Symons, of Charles Street, was at the meeting to speak out about the Damory Court development. He said: "Local residents object to this development which would have the inevitable effect of making an already chronic parking situation in both Damory Court Street and Charles Street intolerable."

East Borough Housing Trust has applied to demolish the existing Victorian house and a garage on the site to be replaced with flats.

In the other application at Damory Street, Signpost Housing Group has applied to pull down the Liberal Hall and to build houses and a flat in its place.

Resident, Ieke van Stokkam, said: "They have said there will be extra on-street parking available on Okefield Street and Nursery Road, which shows they are aware of the parking issues, but I find this unlikely. Sometimes you can't even drive a family car down there."

The town council agreed with the points raised by the protesters and unanimously objected to both applications on the grounds of over-development and parking.

The council also raised the point that the application at Damory Court Street comes not long after planning permission was granted for a change of use from business use, as a chiropractor, to residential.

Committee chairman Richard Stewart-Hannay said: "This committee discussed the change of use not long ago and now suddenly they want to tear it down and build flats. That is sailing close to the wind in my opinion."

Both applications will now go forward to North Dorset District Council's development control committee.