Concerns the 10 flats proposed for a former day centre are too small and dark have been raised by councillors and residents – but the council voted neutral on the application.

Plans for 10 one-bedroom flats for 'social, affordable or intermediate' rent at Chancery House were discussed by Bridport town councillors at their recent planning meeting.

Proposals also include space for 10 bikes but no car parking.

Issues were raised by residents Sylvia Stafford and Jim Tigg during the public forum, who thought eight flats would be better for the building, although they both commended the proposal.

Jim Tigg highlighted that the Government's nationally described space standard was 37m2 as a minimum floor space for a single occupancy and 50m2 for double.

He said: "Six of the flats have a floor area of less that 37m2, the rest are just marginally above that.

"While Bridport cries out for affordable homes, this would not be at any cost in terms of the wellbeing of the occupants. This proposed development is for 10 tiny flats crammed into a building that is not blessed with an airy aspect. Fewer, more reasonably spacious flats would assure the occupants' wellbeing and be more socially responsible."

David Partridge, of applicant Daniel Taylor Almshouses CIO, said that they have created lots of light within the flats.

He said: "When I last heard, 220 single people and couples were looking for a one-bedroom home or a single bedroom in a shared house. I would like to satisfy as many people as possible – try and make reasonable homes for as many people as we can because it's a crisis. I think it's a very reasonable proposal.

"At one stage in the revision of the plans was an area that was very dark that we didn't know how to use, we have got over that and we've let light in and that's why we now think we can make 10 light homes that I would love to live in."

Councillor Sarah Carney said she thought it was "a wonderful idea" but it's too small and there should be fewer flats and more space.

"We're desperately in need of this sort of housing and I think it's really great somebody is stepping up to provide much-needed social housing.

"I have to say that just because you are in need of housing, it doesn't mean you need to live in substandard accommodation, people need to have decent places to live."

Cllr Sarah Williams had concerns that a lift between the ground and first floor had been removed and if it was three flats on each floor, the lift could probably be retained.

Cllr Julian Jones said: "I understand that ideally they should meet the national space standards, but on the other hand, the people that are likely to be wanting to go there are probably living in extremely crowded, inadequate situations at the moment.

"I'm reluctant to object to what is overall a highly desirable development on space grounds when I think it's up to the potential people who are going to make the decision on whether they are happy with that and consider it a desirable place to rent.

"I am happy to let the planning department at Dorset Council consider the issue of size; I don't want to risk jeopardising it unnecessarily."

The lack of light in Chancery Lane was brought up by Cllr Dave Rickard who said it was "very poor".

Bridport Town Council voted neutral to the application, stating it considers the development to be beneficial in principle to Bridport, but has some concerns about the small floor area of the flats, accessibility for people with limited mobility and currently poor levels of street lighting in Chancery Lane.