Further expansion of the Enterprise Park in Piddlehinton has been approved, despite a parish council objection to new industrial units.

The parish council said that the three new blocks will dominate the area and claimed that, with a number of workspaces already vacant on the site, there was no need for more.

The council is also concerned that the character of former Second World War buildings is being eroded by more modern buildings, and say that the intention was for the industrial park to remain a site for small businesses.

However, Dorset Council's Northern Area Planning Committee accepted plans for the three new blocks, which will be divided into 14 smaller units, ranging from 88 to 145 square metres.

Planning officers said that the original proposals had been amended, after receiving the parish council comments, to set the buildings further back into the site, leaving more open space to the frontage, and to increase the gap between two of the new blocks so they do not appear as a long line.

The overall size of each has also been slightly reduced.

The recent planning consent includes permission to demolish three existing WWI brick built buildings to make way for the new structures.

Councillors were told that other, larger, more modern buildings had already been allowed on the park, including one agreed a few weeks ago for the expansion of a local firm which will more than double its footprint.

Planning officers said that in view of the recent history at Piddlehinton, the design and visual impact of the proposed buildings was acceptable and the units would create jobs, helping the local economy.

The three single storey buildings proposed for demolition were all built by the Army and total about 300 square metres, while the replacement buildings will amount to almost five times the size, although have been reduced overall by 150 square metres, compared to the original proposal.

Each will be a steel-clad industrial building with material chosen to match other units nearby and, according to the agent, will meet all the council's criteria for the site.

Their uses are likely to vary from storage to general industrial or commercial activities.

Agents acting for the applicants, Goober Investments Ltd, said the units are very likely to attract potential users with the company being experienced, commercial, developers.

Weymouth councillor Brian Heatley said he had recently visited the site where he saw what he described as a "hotch-potch" of buildings.

"When do we reach the point where we decide this camp is no longer worth preserving as a heritage asset?" he asked.

He was told this was a discussion for when other applications were submitted.

Cllr Belinda Rideout, who proposed accepting the plans, said that despite the parish council concerns, the new units would be viewed in the context of the other building around them and would be bringing economic benefits to the area.

Light industrial unit approved at redundant farm building

A light industrial unit is to be created using a redundant farm building north of Dorchester.

The conversion plan has the support of Buckland Newton Parish Council and has now been approved by Dorset Council.

New Hayes Farm in Factory Lane, Duntish, just off the B3143, already has a joinery workshop which uses an adjoining building to the 180 square metre space due for conversion. It was previously used for storage.

Agents for the applicant had argued that the new use was in line with farm diversification policies: "The proposed change of use will contribute to the ongoing viability of the farming business through diversification of income streams, in a building that is both fit for purpose and in keeping with its rural setting."