DORCHESTER town councillors will not object to proposals to convert part of a former builder’s merchant site into serviced apartments – let out for short-term stays. They say there is a need in the town for properties which are available for a few weeks, or periods shorter than the minimum for most letting agreements. The Maumbury Road site was part of the Gibbs & Dandy complex until the business closed in September 2020. Councillors on the town’s planning and environment committee voted to raise no objection to the changes. The meeting heard that junior doctors and nurses who came to the County Hospital as part of their training often found it difficult to get a short-term let in the town, as did contract workers for the Dorset Council.
Plans have been submitted to turn a former builder s merchant in Dorchester into serviced apartments PART of a former builder’s merchant site in Dorchester could be turned into serviced apartments – let out for short-term stays. The Maumbury Road site was part of the Gibbs & Dandy complex until the business closed in September 2020. A new ‘in principal’ proposals aims to convert the two former agricultural warehouses and add an extension to create nine apartments on the site. The developers claim it could create seven part-time jobs. “Serviced accommodation attracts commercial business rates and offers flexible rental opportunities, although apartments will be air conditioned there will be no requirement for any other plant or machinery with these proposals,” said developers Limon Homes Ltd, from Luton.