WORK to increase sewage capacity in Wimborne could see the entrance to a town centre car park temporarily relocated.

Wessex Water has applied to Dorset Council for permission to replace the bridge over the Pippin stream which leads into the Allenview car park and provide a temporary access.

It said this was part of its project to improve sewage capacity following the approval of the Bloor Homes development north of the town.

“This is part of a wider scheme being completed under permitted development rights to increase the capacity of the foul water network in the town as its population expands,” its planning statement says.

“A temporary alternative entrance to the car park from Hanham Road will be provided to enable access to be maintained to this large car park during the construction activities.”

It says the replacement access would be provided directly off the roundabout for Crown Mead.

Phase one of its sewage works involves the construction of a new pumping station and a “major new connection” to the existing network.

Its second phase, which it says is “critical to prevent sewage flooding in the town”, will see storage capacity increased with a new “shaft” built beneath the Allenview South car park.

But it said there were “structural concerns” with the culverted bridge which forms part of the access.

“The maintenance of access to the car park is important for local businesses, the community and numerous other parking users,” its statement adds.

“The Environment Agency also requires constant maintenance access to the flood defence structure which adjoins the River Allen.”

It says the existing bridge is not suitable for larger maintenance vehicles and that the replacement would provide “long-term safe access”.

During the works it is proposing to build a temporary entrance via Hanham Road on the southern end of the car park.

Although most of its works to the sewage network can be carried out through permitted development regulations, permission is required to replace the bridge and create the new access.

The application for these will be considered by Dorset Council planning officers in the coming weeks.