COUNCILLORS will be asked to approve controversial plans for a Talbot Village centre for technology start-ups when they meet next week.

More than 100 people have written in objection to Talbot Village Trust’s application for the site of Gillett Road, including the neighbouring Village Surgery.

Despite this, BCP Council’s planning committee will be asked to grant planning permission when they consider the scheme on Thursday.

“Temporary permission provides space for an innovation studio to be provided in advance of the wider aspiration for a digital village,” a report by planning officer Monika Kwiatkowska says.

The application was submitted by the trust in July and seeks permission for the two-storey building.

A statement by its agent Savills says the building would be an “incubator” for new technology-based businesses.

It says the aim would be for these businesses to expand into larger premises nearby and help retain graduates in the area.

“An anchor tenant has been identified to occupy the office space which would benefit from a high speed internet connection via the digital exchange,” it says.

“In the longer term the digital exchange would be capable of providing high speed internet access to the universities, the new digital village and other users.”

It says the new centre could “stimulate economic growth locally”.

The application has been supported by Bournemouth University but has drawn criticism from people living nearby and Village Surgery.

Jo Phillimore, its practice manager, said: “Photographs, I understand, show the potential view from the first floor windows of the new building and assumes that activity within my GP rooms will not be seen.

“This, however, does not take into account that very personal conversations taking place during GP consultations could very possibly be overheard from the occupants of the digital exchange building – putting the confidentiality of my patients at risk.”

Concerns have also been raised that the development would not be in keeping with the surrounding area and potential increases in traffic.

Despite this, the report by Ms Kwiatkowska, published ahead of Thursday’s meeting, recommends planning permission be granted for a five-year period.

“The proposed temporary use of this site provides for an important facility that will support the university pending plans for the innovation quarter.

“[This is done] in a manner that causes no material harm to the amenities of adjoining uses, to highway safety or important ecological interests.”

A final decision will be made by councillors at Thursday’s meeting.