A new home for Dorchester's ballet and dance centre is being recommended for approval – despite objections.

The new site, at the Sandringham sports centre off Armada Way, has been controversial with a large number of local people for and against the plans.

The organisation says that it needs to move from its existing base on the town's Poundbury industrial estate to a purpose-built single storey building with a mezzanine floor and better parking.

Concerns about the proposal, for the north east corner of the sports centre car park, have come from some neighbours, including the adjacent rifle and pistol club, a motorcycle training business which uses part of the car park and residents living nearby who do not want an increase in traffic.

The dance centre, which has a 60-year history in the town, admit its plans would result in the loss of 15 car parking spaces to make way for the new building but say the proposal is described as 'acceptable' in terms of access and parking by the highway authority.

The new building will also mean a move, of about 100 metres, for the town's Petanque Club terrain.

Dorchester Pistol and Rifle Club claim digging the foundations for the new building could damage the fabric of its underground range, but councillors will be told that building regulations will be enforced and any damage would be a civil matter, rather than come under planning rules and regulations.

It is also worried about the loss of parking and says it is important, for security reasons, that its members can park close to the club building, minimising the time they have to carry weapons in public.

A number of neighbouring homeowners have told Dorset Council they are worried about the potential for additional noise up until 10pm and extra parking in residential roads on busy days.

Fifteen comments and an 82-signature petition have been received against the proposal while 20 letters have been lodged in favour of the ballet and dance centre application.

Dorchester Bowls Club, which is also worried about a loss of parking, claim that it was not correctly informed about the proposals although Dorset Council say the application is valid and there was no need to serve notice on the bowls club.

The dance centre say the site would be better than the existing building it uses at Poundbury industrial estate which is too small and also suffers from poor lighting in the evenings and a lack of parking. It is also difficult to access for people with disabilities.

Dorchester Town Council has declined to comment on the application because of its interest in the Sandringham site but ward councillor Molly Rennie has written in support of the proposals.