Spaces for delivery vans and customers using 'click and collect' at Bridport Waitrose have been approved despite objections from Dorset Council planning officers.

They claimed the changes would 'harm' the look of the area to the rear of the town centre store.

Bridport town council leader David Rickard appeared before the area planning committee to plea for the changes to go ahead – he claimed that to do otherwise might jeopardise the store's future in the town.

Bridport Waitrose layout.

Cllr Rickard said the town council had unanimously supported the changes which will allow six parking slots for vans, two customer collection spaces and two taxi parking areas.

"Bridport businesses have struggled – this will allow a key town centre store to offer click-and-collect and more home delivery.

"It has been made clear that failing to provide these services will jeopardise the store's future in Bridport."

He added that the changes, which also allow for two taxi spaces and electric vehicle charge points, would help ease traffic congestion outside the main entrance and help people who were unable to get to Waitrose to do their shopping in person.

He said compared to the state of the Dorset Council car park alongside the changes would enhance the setting of the area, not detract from it.

"The public benefit clearly outweighs the minor perceived harm," he said.

Another Bridport councillor, Kelvin Clayton, said the idea that the parking spaces would cause harm to the conservation area was just wrong: "The site is a crumbling wasteland," he said, "I fail to see how it would worsen the view."

A proposal to accept the changes, against the officer's advice, came from Weymouth councillor Louie O'Leary.

"If Waitrose want to do it – good for them, let's accept this," he said.