Green light for £11m office-to-flats conversion in Dorchester

Phased development of south Dorset’s first open-market build-to-rent residential scheme is set to progress after permitted development rights were confirmed.

RTI Estates will add another phase in the conversion of offices at Vespasian House into 37 apartments for up to 144 people, adding £11 million to the project.

The company – part of Dorchester property firm Redtale Holdings – will deliver a mixture of one-, two- and three-bed flats, including penthouse apartments, in what is currently the loft.

It’s received notification from Dorset Council of its right to convert the entire building and loft of Vespasian House 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 of the property.

The development comes as part of RTI’s ongoing regeneration of the county town’s historic Barrack Quarter.

RTI, which owns the freehold of the office complex and surrounding land, has opted for a build-to-rent (BTR) development to provide flexible short and long-term secure accommodation.

The plans for Vespasian House come as NHS organisations based in the building consider alternative arrangements to co-locate with local partners.

Malcolm Curtis, chief executive of RTI and Redtale Holdings, 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 possible 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.

“In addition to securing the long-term future of an iconic building, it also represents development of an important brownfield site in a highly sustainable location close to the nearby hospital, transport links and all the town centre amenities.

“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.

“The scheme will meet, or exceed, the required building and sustainability standards, and we very much look forward to sharing more details in due course.”

Vespasian House is currently being used as offices by the NHS and was previously occupied by the Inland Revenue.

RTI also has a keen focus on sustainability in the design, construction and use of all its developments, including low and zero carbon technologies.

Works at Barrack Quarter have also included the build completion of a £2.4 million development of Barrack House in the northwest corner of the site, with nine key worker apartments let to NHS workers and their families.

And RTI has previously converted the former quartermaster’s stores into five townhouses and two apartments for open market sale.

Just recently, the firm has gained planning consent for a residential extension to Vespasian House and a mixed-used building with apartments and commercial space.