An extension has been agreed to a Dorchester home for older people.

Weld Court in West Walks has been given planning consent to enlarge the residents' lounge and to build a patio area.

The 20-flat residential unit, which is run by Housing 21, was built in 1983 and is on the east side of Borough Gardens.

Housing 21, which runs the complex, says the extension of the lower ground floor lounge will match existing materials with the new patio bordered by half-height brick walls.

Said the company in its application: "The proposed works are being supported by a makeover to the remainder of the communal areas to enhance and upgrade the facilities, providing an additional ground floor toilet facility (as none currently exist) and an increased communal kitchen area, in addition to the extended lounge.

"The design is intended to bring in more natural light into the area by means of a lantern light to fully support the lifestyle and mental health of the residents who have struggled through recent Covid lockdowns, due to the limited size of the communal facilities."

Dorchester Town Council raised no objection to the proposed changes but some neighbours, including from another residential home, wrote to Dorset Council to express their concerns about the likely disturbance which would be caused by the building works, asking for working hours and deliveries to be limited to between 8am and 6pm, with no work on Sundays of Bank Holidays.

The consent includes the requested working times in the conditions with working also limited on Saturdays, from 9am to 1pm.