FIVE industrial units have been given planning permission off Lerret Road, Portland by a Dorset Council planning officer.

Local councillor Paul Kimber had called for it to come before the area planning committee because of the mixed use of properties in the area.

The application had the support of Portland Town Council which said there will be little effect on the area and argued that 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.

The permission has been granted to Tidebank UK Ltd for the site, north of the Victoria Building, previously used as a police station.

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