COUNCILLORS have backed plans to enlarge a business by taking on a cottage annexe - despite fears raised about the loss of accommodation space.

The Salon on the Square, Beaminster, has applied to West Dorset District Council to expand by using an attached cottage to enlarge the business' space. Until 2008, the building was a single unit.

The applicant's design and access statement, said: "The proposed alterations do not affect the historic fabric in either no 12 or the adjoining annex.

"All proposed works relate to recent interventions undertaken in 2008 or to the unblocking of existing doorways.

"The proposals are of benefit to the building and town. Use of the cottage to support the Salon will reduce pressure on the limited space within no12. It will allow the business to grow and offer increased employment opportunities to bring economic benefit to Beaminster."

Members of Beaminster Town Council's planning advisory and highways committee discussed the proposals at a meeting on Monday (6). Councillors were split but narrowly voted in favour of the proposals.

Cllr Janet Page urged caution over whether changing a residential unit into business space could be detrimental to the town.

She said: "We nearly lost a fish and chip shop because another one opened.

"More and more and more businesses in Hogshill Street are closing. It's that sort of reasoning that seems to me to be detrimental to Beaminster. It was our predominant shopping area.

"We lost the pet shop because we are not big enough to have enough of the same shops. I think we should be doing all we can to protect what we have here. We got blamed terribly when the pet shop closed."

Last year, the News revealed that there are 36 vacant properties in Beaminster, while 71 are used as second homes.

Committee chairman Cllr Philip Elliott, pointed out there was a problem with available housing in the town.

He said: "We have a rather large waiting list for people wanting accommodation. We have also got empty units in the town as well."

He added: "The biggest concern is the pole. The narrowness of that piece of road means it could get knocked off."

Cllr Chris Baker said he thought the council should be supporting businesses in the town and the "possibility of more jobs".

He added: "I take a slightly different stance with this.

"I think my own view is we should be encouraging business. I totally accept the accommodation point but there are other issues there. Therefore, I would have thought in terms of encouraging business, we should be allowing this."

Chairman of Beaminster Town Council, Cllr Chris Turner, said: "I think it's a shame to lose accommodation within the Square.

"I think we need all the accommodation we can get."

Councillors agreed to back the proposals which will be considered for approval by the district council.