Hello,
it seems the difference is caused by the compiler option:
-fstrict-volatile-bitfields
this causes the bitfield struct access (peripheral register) respects the declared datatype.
See se_stw vs. se_stb instruction
In a previous version of the compiler this option was enabled by default. Later compiler versions (starting with v1.2+) this option has to be enabled expicitly in compiler options.

hope it helps.
Stan