Town centre residents in much of Dorchester's Conservation Area could be stopped from demolishing front walls and gates to make way for parking spaces without needing to ask permission.

Planning committee members are being asked tomorrow to tighten up the regulations after the steady growth of people creating parking areas in their front gardens.

The practice also has the knock-on effect of reducing on-street parking in a town which for many years has been short of spaces where people can park without paying a charge.

The request comes from Dorchester councillor Stella Jones and, if approved, will remove what is known as permitted development rights – where residents have no need to ask for consent to demolish, remove or otherwise alter an unlisted boundary wall.

The committee will heard that listed boundary walls would still require Listed Building Consent regardless of location although often the work is carried out regardless of the regulations.

Mrs Jones has asked councillors to make what is known as an Article 4 Direction.

She says what has been happening has had “a negative impact on the character and appearance of the Dorchester Conservation Area.”

If councillor agree to the change it will mean residents, in future, having to ask planning permission for such changes.