ONE of Dorchester’s historic barrack sites could be converted in to flats.

Savills is offering the chance to develop one of the sites on Barrack Road.

The estate agents are offering the opportunity on behalf of Dorset County Council and Public Sector PLC.

The site will provide developers with an opportunity to convert one of the former barrack buildings into flats and includes additional land for potential new build development, subject to planning permission being acquired.

Tim West, of Savills, said it was an exciting opportunity.

He said: “This is an exciting opportunity to both preserve an existing building of historic importance and enhance the conservation area with some high quality new residential development.

“This site is close to Dorchester town centre with good transport links, and with the recent success of the Brewery Square development we expect this development opportunity to generate lots of interest.”

Chris Copson, curator at the Keep Military Museum talked about the history of the barracks being developed.

He said: “The actual building was part of the officers’ quarters of the Marabout Barracks and dates back to the 1870s.

“Marabout Barracks was built as part of the Localisation Act, by which numbered regiments became county regiments – the 39th and 54th Foot became the Dorset Regiment.

“The barracks was the regimental depot when admin was done and countless generations of young soldiers did their basic training.”

In 1958 the Dorset Regiment amalgamated with the Devonshire Regiment to become the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment with regimental headquarters moved to Exeter.

The various barracks on the road were sold to the Royal Mail and DCC with Vespasian House built on the old parade ground.

Interested parties are now being invited to submit conditional offers, which will be subject to planning permission.

For more information contact Tim West at Savills Wimborne on 01202 856800.