CHICKERELL Town Council and Weymouth Civic Society are among the objectors to a plan for more than 40 shipping containers on farmland.

Some of the containers are already on the site at Newlands Farm, Coldharbour.

The planning request asks for the use of the containers and some buildings for commercial storage, to the north of an existing solar farm.

Agents Symonds and Sampson say that 23 storage containers are already on the site with the owner hoping to bring in up to 20 more.

The application says that the site is being used for storage and distribution for several companies, including a skip company which has a Goods Vehicle Licence for two lorries.

Chickerell Town Council said in its submission to Dorset Council that the application could bring with it “significant noise disturbance” with a “detrimental effect to the local landscape” together with a significant increase in traffic.

The Civic Society made similar comments, adding: “The use is incompatible with the general character of the area and contrary to the adopted Local Plan and the Chickerell Neighbourhood Plan, in which the site is designated as Land of Local landscape Importance.”

Comments have also been submitted from some neighbours, one claiming there is already noise from the site and damage to verges by heavy lorries.

“Several times operations start very early some mornings, tipping, bottles etc the type of business being carried out there is unsuitable for a residential area this site should be retained for agricultural use,” said one Coldharbour resident.

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Agents asking for the development say the site was no longer required for farm use with the new use offering an opportunity for economic growth and support for local business.

“Given the well report adverse economic climate the country faces it would seem prudent to support economic development where possible,” said the agent in a report to council planning officers.

The report claims that the change of the use of the building will not have an impact on the landscape character, defined as ‘locally valued’ with the siting of additional containers, each 6m long, having a minimal impact.

“Hedgerows to the north and east limit viewpoints from these directions. Views from the south will be limited by the existing stable/barn building and will be within the context of the large solar farm,” said the statement.