A DORCHESTER bar and restaurant which put up a large decking area without planning consent is now asking for approval.

The Georgie Porgie Pie and Burger Co started, and then stopped, work on the decking earlier in the year, after being told by council officials they would need consent.

The premises, the former Cornwall Hotel, off Damers Road, is close to the town's West rail station and at the bottom end of Williams Avenue, which leads to the County Hospital.

Its owners have now asked for formal planning consent for the decking area which, if approved, will also have a protective fence around it to stop people falling onto the pavement.

Dorchester town council planning committee members decided to express their concern about the decking at their meeting.

Cllr David Taylor said he was worried about the safety of the structure, although he was told that work on the supporting structure had not yet been completed and would have to comply with building regulations if it received planning consent from West Dorset District Council.

Said Cllr Susie Hosford: “It's a very prominent site and it does have an effect on the street scene.”