A former fuel depot in Dorchester is hoped to be transformed into retirement living apartments.

McCarthy and Stone plan to develop the former Watson Fuel Depot and the Dorchester Collection car showroom on London Road into approximately 44 one- and two-bedroom apartments, specifically designed to meet the needs of the older generations.

The site has remained vacant and un-used for a number of years.

McCarthy and Stone’s plans are still at a preliminary stage and no planning application has been submitted.

A public exhibition will be taking place on Wednesday, April 25 at the Dorford Centre in Dorchester town centre. The exhibition will allow residents the opportunity to look at and comment on the development plans.

More than 2,000 households and businesses have been invited to the centre between 3pm and 7pm.

Shane Paull, regional managing director at McCarthy and Stone, said: “Our plans provide an important opportunity to deliver a sensitive residential development in an attractive and highly sustainable location, very close to local shops and services in the Town Centre.

"This scheme would significantly improve the housing choices for older people in Dorchester, while also providing a boost for local businesses through increased year-round spending in the area.”

He continued: “We want to hear from the local community and our future homeowners before we finalise our planning application. We will be displaying our plans at a public exhibition where our project team will be on hand to answer questions and listen to feedback on what we have done so far.”

McCarthy and Stone say the redevelopment of the site offers an important opportunity to provide much needed specialist retirement accommodation in a highly sustainable location, increasing the housing choice for local older people.

The Office of National Statistics predicts that the local over-65s population will rise by 45 per cent over the next 20 years. The redevelopment of this site will also contribute to West Dorset District Council’s identified housing need and meets aspirations for brownfield development to deliver future growth.

McCarthy and Stone’s Retirement Living developments will also include a house manager on hand and a 24-hour emergency call system for added peace-of-mind.

The apartments will feature walk-in wardrobes and fully fitted kitchens with integrated appliances. Homeowners will also be able to enjoy landscaped gardens. Each development also includes a guest suite and a homeowners’ lounge.

Rowena Hampton, a homeowner at the Retirement Living Plus (Extra Care) scheme in Poundbury, said: “I really enjoy being part of the active community here, and everyone has been so friendly and welcoming. I’ve always been sociable, so it’s lovely having other people around and lots of activities to get involved in, such as coffee mornings, film nights, games evenings, and of course, the art classes.”