Concerns have been raised over a long-awaited regeneration project at a prominent Weymouth site.

Revised plans for the regeneration of Brewers Quay site, which was sold to Winchester-based Versant Developments in December 2016, were submitted to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council last month.

Under the revised proposals, Versant will convert the existing main brewers and coopers buildings to provide 47 residential units, a museum, wet weather/exhibition and cultural experience space along with three retail units.

The Victorian Society which seeks to preserve Victorian and Edwardian architecture at listed developments sites across the country urged the council to withhold planning consent for the scheme.

They said that the revised proposals involve a significant alteration to the buildings which would negatively impact on the buildings.

Tom Taylor, conservation adviser at the Victorian Society, said they hadn’t been consulted on the revised or previously approved proposals.

He added: “The consented proposals already involve a great deal of alteration to the roofs of the listed buildings, especially on the east side where an extra two storeys are proposed.

“These two storeys will not only involve the loss of three fine timber lanterns, but they will also erode the distinctions between different elements of the complex, destroying the legibility of the distinct stages of alteration and construction.

“We think that these effects would be very harmful and had we been consulted at the time, we would have objected to the proposals.

“As it is, we think it important to resist any further alterations which tend to erode the differences in mass and form which are such significant aspects to the brewery buildings character. Accordingly, we urge your authority to withhold consent from the current proposals.”

In response, Versant said: “The proposals will ensure the long-term future and tourist function of this important listed building in Weymouth and is considered to accord with the development plan and other material considerations.”

“Proposed alterations and extensions are of a modest scale and it is considered that they do not detract from the historic character and appearance of the building.”

Various plans for the whole site have been proposed since 2013, including one for an 85-bed hotel which was later withdrawn and consequently development on the site has stalled.

As previously reported, works commenced in August 2017 on the neighbouring Brewery Reach townhouses and apartment block in May 2018 at Newton Road with Versant hoping to complete development at Brewery Reach by April 2019.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council are expected to determine the plans later this year.