Plans to develop a dry cleaning hut outside Tesco in Dorchester have been refused because councillors say it would look ‘ugly.’

Plans to erect a Timpson dry cleaning unit adjacent to the car park in front of the supermarket were refused by West Dorset District Council planning committee on Thursday, January 19.

The plans were for a small wooden hut to be built on the pathway parallel with the hedges and footpath leading to the supermarket’s entrance.

The plans sparked concerns that the Timpson dry cleaning shop on Mercery Road may close if a hut is erected at the Tesco site.

Dorchester Town Council objected to the development on the lines that it would have an impact on the viability and vitality of the town centre.

This comes after a Timpson dry cleaning unit was erected within a Sainsbury car park, outside the town centre of Spalding, a small market town in a rural location in the South Holland District in Lincolnshire.

The South Holland District Council refused the application, fearful of the effect that the proposal would have on the town centre.

Councillor Robin Potter suggested the hut could lead to a ‘blank space’ in Dorchester’s town centre.

He said: “The town council were worried about the impact on Dorchester Town Centre. This is a small unit, but I know there is a Timpson shop in the arcade. If this goes up there could be a blank space in the town.”

Councillor Brian Haynes raised concerns that the hut’s development could lead to the removal of one of the hedges and part of the walkway leading to the supermarket.

Cllr Potter added: “You would be removing the hedges to put it in, they were put in front of the supermarket for a reason, because they look nice.

“This will cause a restriction of the walkway.”

He also discussed the visual impact of the hut and said: “While it doesn’t look too bad, imagine it facing sideways and that is what you see when driving in to park your car outside the supermarket.”

Councillor Stella Jones MBE said: “To put this ugly wooden shed around the entrance to Tesco is out of keeping with the area.”

Councillor Simon Christopher said allowing the application to progress could open the door to similar huts outside the supermarket.

The planning committee agreed to refuse the application on the basis of its design and materials, which it was agreed would not make a positive contribution to the site.