by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporting Service.
A new “pod” operated by WeBuyAnyCar.com could be installed at the Morrisons supermarket on Dorchester Road, Weymouth.
The proposal, submitted by Whittam Cox Architects on behalf of Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd, outlines plans to place the single-storey pod within the existing car park, occupying two standard parking bays near the store entrance.
The pod will not be used to sell vehicles but will serve as a local drop-off point for customers who have received online valuations. Vehicles will be inspected and collected by drivers, then taken to auction houses. Typically, between four and six cars will be on site at any one time, with a maximum of ten. Cars are expected to remain on site for no more than 72 hours.
Designed to be environmentally efficient, the pod will operate off-grid using solar panels and a vegetable-oil based fuel for heating. It will be placed on Jack Pads and connected to the existing drainage system.
Morrisons says the service is valued by customers and aligns with its goal of offering more useful services to the community.
The application argues that town centre car parks are unsuitable for this type of operation due to space and regulation constraints, making the supermarket location more viable.
The full application can be found on the Dorset Council website, reference P/FUL/2025/05814
What the pod will look like