YELLOW BUSES is applying to build a bus depot in Poole to expand its services westwards.

The Bournemouth-based firm wants change of use permission for a warehouse in Endeavour Park at 11 Witney Road, Poole, although it is not planning to move from its current site in Yeoman's Way.

According to its application, the site, at the northern end of the Nuffield Industrial Estate, would host 18 vehicles overnight.

The planning statement says: "The site will provide additional capacity to the existing Bournemouth Transport Ltd portfolio which includes Yeoman's Way Bus Depot in Bournemouth.

"The proposed bus operating centre will not include any bus maintenance, washing or fuelling facilities - these will be provided by existing facilities within the property portfolio."

The company says the new station will allow it to expand its services in Poole, covering Hamworthy, Canford Heath, Creekmoor and Upton, and extending out as far as Wimborne, Blandford and Swanage.

It will also reduce the additional mileage cost for existing services travelling from Poole back to Yeoman's Way each evening.

The application adds: "The proposed Bus Operating Centre location will also provide employment opportunities for the local area with up to 57 people based at the new site (with three drivers per bus and site staff)."

Buses would be parked on the hardstanding in front of the warehouse.

They will leave the site between 5am and 7am each morning and return between 6pm and 2am.

"Whilst parked, access is retained to all other units within Endeavour Park," the statement says. "During the day when the remaining warehouses on the site are in use, the bus fleet will be in service and the yard fully available for car parking."

The unit, No.5, is one of two previously occupied by catering and janitorial products firm Comax UK, which moved to new premises in Yeoman Road, Forest Gate Business Park, Ringwood, in April.