THE conversion of a redundant garage and two MoT bays into two houses has been approved – against the advice of planning officers.

Dorset councillors on the northern area planning committee were told that Turks Garage at Marnhull Road, Hinton St Mary, on the main road through the village, is adjacent to two listed buildings with a public footpath running along one side of the site and sits within the Conservation Area.

The plans include converting the single-storey garage and the two-storey building it is attached to into one home with a second, two-bed home, to the rear of the site, converted from the MoT double bay, with a garden in between the two.

The building to the front, of three bedrooms, was proposed to be partially clad in timber boarding.

Area planning committee members were told that there were concerns about the rear Mot-bay conversion which it was said would have inadequate amenity space.

Council planning officers recommended refusal because of the inappropriate design and materials which was said to be detrimental to the Conservation Area. They were also concerned about the small amount of private space proposed for the Mot bays conversion.

The meeting heard that the garage business was closed and no longer viable with the owners wanting to retire. There had been no interest in anyone taking on the site as a commercial concern.

A planning agent said that the proposals have the support of the community.

Celia Wright from the parish council told the planning committee that Hinton St Mary had an eclectic mix of buildings in a range of designs and styles. She said that despite concerns from Dorset Council about the cladding for the main building there were five other properties nearby with full or partial cladding, one of which had been suggested by a council planning officer.

“The current Turks Garage with a part metal shed and dis-used fuel pump does little to enhance our village,” she said, arguing that the proposed changes met planning guidance, were appropriate and would enhance the village. She said the parish council was not aware of any residents who objected.

Proposing agreeing the changes Cllr Carole Jones said that, despite the officers’ concerns, she believed the new buildings would be an improvement and would create two new homes in a village where nobody appeared to have objected to the changes.