Legal powers to help protect the character of Dorchester’s Conservation Areas could be in place within weeks.

It will require those who want to make minor changes to their properties to apply for permission.

At the moment small alterations, including knocking down walls or creating parking areas in gardens, have been allowed under what are known as ‘permitted rights’.

Planning committee members heard on Thursday that with more and more people making alterations the character of the Conservation Areas were being eroded.

The areas cover much of the town centre and many residential roads leading to the centre.

Cllr Stella Jones welcomed the move: “Over the years we have taken a lot of time and effort on the conservation area and without this we could lose it all…we have got to conserve what we have got otherwise we will lose the character of the town.”

The proposal will now have to go to the next meeting of the full West Dorset District Council and, if approved, would come into immediate effect with letters being sent out to every property affected.

Officers stressed that it will not prevent changes being made but would mean that any changes would need consent.

The committee heard that similar Section 4 orders, made elsewhere, had been successful and had caused few problems.