A DORSET parish council says it is trying to preserve the character of West Knighton village by asking for a cottage extension to be refused.

Knightsford parish council has told Dorset Council it is against an annexe and double garage extension at Sunnyside Cottage, Highgate Lane although when the area planning committee meet on Thursday, it is being recommended to approve the changes.

Officers says the principle of the development and the siting, scale and form of the building would conserve the setting of the listed building and the character of the conservation area.

But parish councillors say that despite a revised plan reducing the length and the height of the original proposal they remain opposed to it. They argue that the proposed new building is inappropriate in a conservation area being in the midst of 11 grade 2 listed buildings and close to the grade 1 listed St Peter’s Church.

The parish has also added its fears about an increase in traffic, a loss of privacy for neighbouring homes and a restricted access onto the road from the driveway.

The council’s conservation officer has not objected to the proposal and neither has the highway authority.

Councillors will be told at this week’s meeting that three letters of objection have been received to the revised plans relating to character and appearance, material, the scale of the proposal, overlooking and traffic. Four other statements were received on similar grounds prior to the amended plans being received.