Security cameras are to be fitted to one of Weymouth’s oldest historic buildings – the Tudor House in Trinity Street.

Weymouth Civic Society, which runs the grade 2 listed building, has been given consent for eight surface mounted cameras mainly fixed in the top corners of rooms open to the public.

The society say the camera system “is to protect the museum collection and monitor visitor movements for health and safety protection.”

They will be fitted to all of the rooms and landings, other than the bathroom.

A monitor will be installed in the kitchen, which is not open to the public.

The building was originally two properties, dating from around 1603- 1610 and was converted into a single merchants house soon after being constructed. It fell into disrepair and had a Closing Order imposed in 1936 and was then bought by the Weymouth Ancient Buildings Society, being bequeathed in 1944 to the newly established Weymouth Civic Society which has continued to run it as a museum.

Said a planning officer report: “It is considered that although there will be some harm to the architectural interest of the interiors by the installation of the cameras, this will be less than substantial.

“In this case the public benefit of installing the cameras, can be outweighed by the benefit of allowing the public to view the interior of the house, and keep the building in sustainable use.”