CCTV and security lighting are wanted for another 24-hour gym being planned for Dorchester town centre.

Town councillors are content for the proposed conversion of half of the town’s Co-op store to go ahead, but say the security measures should be considered as part of the application.

Cllrs Molly Rennie and Fiona Kent-Ledger called for the lights and CCTV during a discussion on the application at Monday’s town council planning meeting.

Cllr Kent-Ledger said she would also like to see the protection of a silver birch tree close to the proposed entrance at the Forum Centre, off Trinity Street.

The application, if finally approved by Dorset Council, will see the supermarket continue to trade, but it will end up almost half the size it now is.

The change of use application comes from The Gym Ltd to use 663 square metres of the store, to the right of the building’s current main entrance as a fitness centre with a secure pin-code entry system.

The application says the company will create 15 jobs. Gym Ltd, trading as The Gym, has over 160 similar operations throughout the UK.

The Dorchester operation, if approved, will involve a mix of rowing, running and cycling machines together with resistance (weight) machines. It says any music will be low level and background only.

Comments on the proposal, which can be seen on the Dorset Council planning website, remain open until December 17.

Dorchester already has another 24-hour gym, which opened at Brewery Square last year.