An extension has been agreed at the Hogshill Stores in Clay Lane, Beaminster to cope with 120 extra new homes for the area.

Dorset Council has approved a planning application to make internal and external changes to the listed building.

It will allow the business to expand the shop by 30 square metres to the east with a single storey building. The extension will infill the remaining yard area which is no longer needed for storage.

Ward councillor for the area, Cllr Rebecca Knox, said she “wholeheartedly” supported the changes. Shop neighbour Sally Wakefield wrote to tell the council planning team: “A larger shop will only benefit the present local community and any further properties built nearby. The present owners run an efficient and very helpful service to the local area and work extremely hard to fulfil any requests.”

Beaminster Town Council also wrote to say it supported the changes which, councillors felt, would have no significant impact on the surrounding area.

During the course of the consultation an amended plan was showing the exchangers/condenser units being located on the roof of the building. Other changes were made which set the extension back from the existing building and changed the external wall materials from stone to vertical timber boarding on the north elevation.

Said the planning case officer of the changes: “It is considered that these alterations help to break up the length of the building visually and make for a more interesting and visually pleasing design.”

Said a statement from a planning agent to Dorset Council on behalf of the stores: “The business provides a valuable local service to the community and is anticipating an increase in demand for their services with the expected 120 new homes which are due to be constructed in the area. This modest extension will provide and greatly improved circulation space in the shop and will help to cope with the extra footfall expected…

“The resultant increase will allow the expansion of the current employees from 7 to 9 full time members, with 2 part time staff. This will allow the business to maintain the high standard of customer service enjoyed at present, which includes home delivery for elderly or sick customers when needed.”.