DORSET Council is hoping to offer the NHS a 20 year lease for the use of its South Walks House building in Dorchester after plans to convert the building into homes were shelved.

As reported, the council had submitted a planning permission for the conversion of its Dorchester HQ to 41 flats - however in October it was announced that Dorset County Hospital (DCH) would temporarily using the building in a bid to tackle NHS waiting lists.

DCH and other NHS partners are using the building as an Outpatient Assessment Centre for six months, with rapid access clinics operating out of the ground floor.

Dorset Echo: Dorset County Hospital staff outside South Walks House as clinics were set up this month Picture: DCHDorset County Hospital staff outside South Walks House as clinics were set up this month Picture: DCH

The council has now said that its preferred option is to offer local NHS organisations a 20-year lease of the building, providing an easily-accessible location for healthcare services as well as offering the best financial return to the council.

The recommendations are to be considered by Dorset Council's Cabinet on December 7. Local NHS organisations will make their decision in February / March 2022.

Councillor Tony Ferrari, portfolio holder for Economic Growth, Property and Assets, said: “Our overriding priority is to secure the best outcome for Dorset residents, both in terms of the services that can be provided to them from South Walks House, and in terms of financial savings for the council.

"Leasing the building to local NHS partners is the ideal solution. We do, however, have a number of other viable options to pursue should the NHS decide they do not want to proceed."

Alternative options include selling the building, converting it for residential accommodation, and converting it for hotel use. Each option has been analysed and ranked to establish which would be the most financially advantageous to the council and provide the best wider economic and social benefits.

Other options for use of the building were also looked at but found not to be viable, including use as a care home, for retail, a school, as managed offices, a GP surgery, and an information technology training centre.

In April Dorset Council’s Cabinet agreed to move Dorchester-based office staff back to its County Hall site, which the council said is already generating substantial cost savings - including a saving of £270,000 by ending the lease of Princes House in March 2021.

Meanwhile a reduction in staff numbers means the authority requires less office space in Dorchester.