SEVERAL properties in Dorchester High West Street have now been approved for alternative uses.

Many of the buildings, once family town houses, had been used by solicitors and estate agents, who have now moved to other parts of the town, or Poundbury.

Among the new uses agreed by Dorset council is a building which will be converted for used for supported accommodation for young people, with most of the other former offices spaces in the area being converted to flats.

All of the applications were supported by Dorchester town council which backs the principle of converting former office and commercial spaces to housing when no commercial use can be found for them.

Among the other Dorchester decided planning applications is a two storey extension at the former Flax Factory site in St George’s Road to create a new home and extensions at the Castle View Nursing Home in Bridport Road.

The full details of all of the applications can be seen on the Dorset Council website using the references provided.

P/LBC/2024/03842 : 30 High West Street Dorchester DT1 1UT. Alterations to change the use of the building from offices to supported accommodation for care leavers. Including external alterations to the rear. Granted.

P/FUL/2024/03933 : 52 High West Street Dorchester DT1 1UT. Change of use and conversion of office building to 6 no apartments (use class C3). Granted P/FUL/2024/03935 : 53 High West Street Dorchester DT1 1UX. Change of use and conversion of office building to 6 no apartments (use class C3). Granted P/FUL/2024/04737 :48 High West Street Dorchester DT1 1UT. Change of use and conversion of building to 4 No. residential apartments (Demolish single storey rear extension). Granted P/LBC/2024/02145 : 5 North Square DT1 1HY. Internal and external alterations. Granted.

P/FUL/2024/03516 : Flax Factory St Georges Road Dorchester DT1 1PE. Erect two storey extension (with roof space accommodation) to form dwelling (use class C3) with associated parking. Granted P/CLP/2024/05763 : 6 Wollaston Road Dorchester DT1 1EQ. Certificate of lawfulness to convert from 2 no flats to 1 no. single dwelling. Granted P/HOU/2024/06480 : 5 Grosvenor Crescent Dorchester DT1 2BA. Erect two storey rear extension P/FUL/2024/05529 :  Castle View Nursing Home Bridport Road Poundbury DT1 2NH. Erection of extension to main entrance porch, including reception. Erection of garden lounge extension. Granted P/HOU/2024/05997 : 3 Clarence Road Dorchester DT1 2HF. Erect two storey extension, replacement porch and install PV array to the South aspect roof (demolish conservatory). Granted