A DRIVE-through coffee shop and a row of business units has been approved on the shore of Portland Harbour, close to the National Sailing Centre.

Proposals to use of the site, off the Hamm Beach Road, had resulted in warnings about litter, extra traffic and an impact on the landscape.

Weymouth councillor Louie O’Leary warned that parking problems associated with the nearby Lidl store had resulted in extra yellow lines being painted in the area, despite councillors being told prior to its approval that there would be no problems.

He told Thursday’s area planning committee that he worried the extra traffic the development might encourage could result in the need for further parking measures.

Other councillors said they did not want to see any development which tempted people to drive – especially with other cafes already in the area at either end of the Beach Road.

Wyke Regis councillor Kate Wheller complained that the development, just off the roundabout, would block views to the harbour and the sailing academy.

“I don’t think this should be built on this site, but there is no planning reason to go against it,” she said.

Almost a third of the site will be devoted to the drive through, likely to be Starbucks, with two two-storey business units, divided into small units, on the rest of the site, closer to the sailing centre.

Concerns about the site included the design of the buildings not to reflecting the unique waterfront setting and the expanse of 76 car parking spaces.

Natural England said it was worried about the litter likely to be generated by the drive through and has asked for proposals to deter people walking from the site to the Hamm Beach.

Nineteen people had written to Dorset Council about the proposal, only one in favour.

The objections said the coffee shop was inappropriate for the gateway location, was out of keeping with the character of the area and is contrary to the aims of Portland’s neighbourhood plan, encouraging unnecessary car use.

One letter warned that the new buildings might affect the wind for sailing and windsurfing, with a launch area for small dinghies, paddleboards and windsurfers just yards away.

Dorset Council planning officers told the area committee that the site is within the defined development boundary and is considered to comply with Local Plan. There had also been no objection on highway grounds and transport officers believed that the drive through and business units would only result in a minor increase in traffic.