PLANS to expand and fill in the front of shops in Christchurch town centre are set to be approved - despite objections from concerned residents.

The proposal to extend the fronts of the shops along part of Church Street and infill the existing red brick colonnade will go before members of Christchurch council's planning committee on Thursday.

Part of the area includes where Loch and Quay restaurant is, as well as Born Beauty Boutique and other businesses under the archway.

It comes after complaints from business owners along that stretch of road over late night revellers defecating and leaving drugs paraphernalia at their shop entrances.

Some traders along Church Street said every weekend morning they clean vomit from the pavement of the covered footpath left there from revellers the night before.

The application seeks permission to enclose the two areas of colonnade and bring them within the existing shop space.

It would not mean demolition, with the "established features retained", a planning report says.

It adds: "The proposed addition would retain the character of shop fronts, through the use of glazing and individual entrance doors for each of the shop units and would introduce the facility for fascia signage above."

It says the treatment for Loch and Quay would be different as it is the corner unit.

But residents have opposed the plans saying they have concerns over the reduction in the width of the pavement, highway safety, and impact on visual amenities.

A letter from Christchurch Citizens Association said: "We wish to object most strongly to this on the grounds that it will restrict the pavement area along this strip of walkway, making it very difficult for pedestrians and especially mobility vehicles to manoeuvre along this part of the highway.

"It would also affect the street scene considerably."

Other concerns are centred on the dominance of the street scene and impact on visual amenities and approach to Priory Church.

However, despite these concerns, planning officers feel there are not considered to be any matter which would warrant a refusal of planning permission.