LYME Regis Museum will get an extension after planning permission was granted by West Dorset District Council.

The development, which will provide the museum with toilets and a learning space, will also reinstate the traditional east wing of the building.

Speaking after the meeting, Lyme Regis Museum director David Tucker said there is much more work to do, but that permission being granted was the 'last obstacle'.

"It really does feel fantastic," said Mr Tucker.

"After three and a half years to get us to this stage, it does also feel slightly unreal and a little bit scary at the moment.

"It is the last step in the process. It means we have the legal permission and we have 95 percent of the funding, so it really was the last obstacle."

During the development control committee meeting, two members of Lyme Regis Town Council spoke out about the choice of zinc cladding for the development.

Cllr Cheryl Reynolds described the proposed development as 'a greenhouse in an aeroplane hanger'.

She said: "No-one is against the museum having an extension.

"Having to get used to something does not give us enough of a reason to make the same mistakes again.

"Traditional materials are beautiful and durable and quality is timeless."

Cllr Daryl Turner, who represents Lyme Regis at town, district and county level, spoke out in favour of the development and described the current mixture of building styles in the town - as he endorsed the recommendation of the council's officers to approve the scheme.

But the design was met by a hostile reception by a committee member who labelled the scheme a 'cardboard box'.

Cllr Robin Legg said: "This is 1970s brutal architecture.

"It is like a cardboard box. It looks basically ugly. It damages the whole area of the seafront."

But Cllr George Symonds, ward member for Lyme Regis, proposed the development should be accepted.

The councillors' vote was tied, with chairman Fred Horsington's deciding vote carrying approval.

"In another sense, this is just the beginning," added Mr Tucker. "We have to build the thing now and this is where the challenge really starts.

"There is not one brick in place yet, so there is plenty of work to do."

The museum will have to close for several months while the building work is carried out.

Mr Tucker said: "We will probably look to start work next September when the town becomes quieter over the winter season.

"We will have to close the museum for seven or eight months, which will will do during the off-season to make sure we are not in a bad financial situation."