TWO blocks of business units have been approved by Dorset Council on a site off Mulberry Avenue, Portland by the Agincare Group.

The scheme has been altered since it was first proposed after Historic England expressed concerns about the effect on the open setting of Portland Castle.

The two storey blocks could each have six light industrial or storage units at ground floor level with three office units on the first floor and parking across the site for around 50 cars.

Portland Town Council had supported the application, subject to a flood risk assessment, but had asked for solar panels on the buildings and electric vehicle charging points in the car park.

The company say that by agreement with Homes England additional land is to be purchased to enable the commercial units to be moved southwards beyond the line of Liberty Road.

An agent’s letter to Dorset Council said the units are a further phase in Agincare’s commitment to regenerate the Castletown area with the units designed so they can be let separately, or in combination.

Each of the first floor units would be provided with a toilet and kitchen area with the ground floor units having two toilets at either end of the buildings.

Agincare say the northernmost part of the site would be reserved for public parking to serve both as an overflow car park for the Castle and for users of the public walkway along the harbourside.