NEW life is being breathed into an office block with the go-ahead of the area’s first build-to-rent residential scheme costing £11 million.

RTI Estates Ltd is to convert offices at Vespasian House off Bridport Road in Dorchester into 37 apartments - one, two and three bed flats - for up to 144 people.

It has received notification from Dorset Council of its right to convert the building - as well as an extra phase in the loft area - under permitted development rights, where the change of use is already acceptable in principle. It also has received ‘right to rise’ confirmation for the loft where there will be penthouse apartments.

Dorchester councillor Richard Biggs previously described the additions of the penthouses on the plans as ‘sneaky’, warning that it could be an overdevelopment to the site, adding to parking and traffic problems in the area.

The plans to breathe new life into Vespasian House comes as NHS organisations based in the building consider alternative arrangements to co-locate with others. The building was previously occupied by the Inland Revenue.

It is said the development will repurpose an iconic building in a "brownfield and highly sustainable location" as part of RTI’s ongoing regeneration of the county town’s historic 'Barrack Quarter'.

This includes the completion of a £2.4m development of nearby Barrack House with 'key worker' apartments. It has also previously converted the former quartermaster’s stores into homes.

In addition, RTI has previously gained planning consent for a residential extension to Vespasian House and a mixed-used building.

The company has opted for a build-to-rent (BTR) development in its conversion of Vespasian House - purpose-built housing designed for rent rather than sale where homes are owned and managed by the developer or operator.

Schemes of this kind typically offer flexible leases from six months up to five years to provide people with modern sustainable homes as well as secure tenures. Many schemes also include a range of services and additional space, such as communal lounges or gyms.

RTI said the intention is for the apartments "to be available for rent at the local market rate".

When asked about parking at the site, a spokesperson said: “The number of parking spaces will meet planning policy standards for a development of this size, tenure and location and within walking and cycling distance of the local hospital and health services, public services, transport links, recreational facilities and amenities. Bicycle storage will also be provided."

RTI chief executive Malcolm Curtis said: “Confirmation of permitted development rights marks another major milestone in this project.

“It will be the first build-to-rent scheme in south of Dorset, and possibly the whole of the west of the county, enhancing the mix of housing stock and helping to combat the chronic under-supply of rental homes in the area.

“Providing new, high-quality accommodation of this kind for families, workers and professionals will support the growth of Dorchester and its local economy while supporting public services and bringing millions of pounds of investment to the area."