South Walks House in Dorchester THE controversial decision to close Dorset Council’s most up to date building, South Walks House in Dorchester, and transform it into homes has taken another step this week. A planning application, known as 'prior approval', asks for conversion of the building to 41, one, two and three-bed apartments. Twenty are proposed as one-bed units, 19 as two-bed and 2 three-bed. The application, from the council, will be decided by the council. The application involves only the council offices, not the adjoining library and learning centre which will remain open. READ MORE: Application papers say the 3,500 square metres of office space will be converted to homes and the existing 41 lower ground floor parking spaces allocated to residents, although this leaves no room on site for visitor parking spaces, which it is argued could be accommodated in nearby car parks, including the adjoining Old Market car park.