Portland councillor Paul Kimber has asked for a planning application for five industrial units off Lerret Road to be decided by a council planning committee.

The application had been set for a delegated decision by a planning officer – but Cllr Kimber says that because of the mixed use of properties in the area it should go to councillors for a decision.

The application has the support of Portland Town Council which says there will be little effect on the area and believes the application is in line with the employment strategy in the neighbourhood plan.

The Town Council has also asked for consideration be given to installing electric charging points for vehicles and adding solar panels on the buildings.

Tidebank UK Ltd has asked for planning permission for the five units, north of the Victoria Building, previously used as a police station.

The units, in a single block, will, if approved, create around 800 square metres of space together with parking for 26 cars. Each unit will have a ground floor area of 110square metres, with a further 50 square metres of storage at first floor level.

The deadline for comment on the Lerret Road application has closed.

Permission is also being being sought for seven industrial units at the junction of Wide Street, north of Tradecroft.

The standard steel-clad buildings have been requested by a Birmingham-based company, SNT.

It says the units will have 30 parking spaces, four disability spaces and parking for six bicycles. The total space has been put at just under 700 square metres.

Observations on the Tradecroft application can be submitted until June 15 with two comments already made supporting the need for solar panels and electric charging points.