Plans are in place to repair part of an historic building and convert it to offer hotel rooms.

Architects have submitted the plans on behalf of JD Wetherspoon for the Royal Oak on High West Street, Dorchester, to make alterations on the first, second and third floors to convert them into nine hotel rooms with en suite bathrooms.

Photos submitted as part of the application show the level of deterioration to the upper parts of the Grade II listed building, which was built in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

A heritage statement submitted as part of the application reads: “The upper floors are currently in a poor state of repair, with damp and mould taking a hold of the listed fabric of the building. The proposal is to carry out all the required repairs of the building whilst creating new hotel rooms to the upper floors. The proposals are driven by the need to ensure the viability of the pub.”

The statement adds that the proposals do not affect the historic fabric of the building.

The highways department at Dorset County Council has already been consulted as part of the application and has confirmed that there are no objections.

The repairs requested include building new partitions to form new room layouts, demolishing old partitions that are no longer needed and repairing ceilings, walls and floors.

Pictures reveal that the upper levels of the floor have suffered from damp, with wallpaper peeling from the walls, floorboards missing and part of the ceiling in need of repair.

JD Wetherspoon has owned the pub since 2001. The building has been part of the Dorchester townscape for around 300 years, but it was re-fronted in the late 19th Century. It was originally a coaching inn, with a stable yard for visitors’ horses and an exit into Princes Street under the hayloft of the Greyhound made a one-way system for carriages. The pub was originally run by Dorchester brewery Eldridge Pope.

The Royal Oak isn’t the only historic pub in Dorchester undergoing a new lease of life. Plans for the refurbishment of the Kings Arms went on display in November. Owners Stay Original Company are aiming to reopen the pub next year with a 120-cover bar and restaurant and 32 rooms. They are expected to reveal more details about their plans later this year.

Residents have until November 25 to comment on the plans for the Royal Oak and the application will be discussed at a meeting of West Dorset District Council’s planning committee at a date to be confirmed.