A WEYMOUTH building, close to the seafront, could be converted into a holiday home – if Dorset Council agrees.

The change of use application has been lodged for the Chesterman & Matthews store at 16 Gloucester Mews.

It says that the little-used store could be converted to a two storey home with its own rear courtyard. The site has been used, in the past, for a scaffolding and tools business.

The adjacent unit, No 14, is to be retained for retail use. It already has a flat above it with a front entrance door onto Gloucester Mews.

The conversion of No 16 would also allow for the creation of two on-site parking spaces.

An agent’s letter says the building was put up around 1780 but is not listed and is within the town centre conservation area. It says the building is only occasionally used for storage in support of the adjacent retail unit and its conversion to holiday use would be similar to other buildings in the area.

The application papers says the four-bed flat could accommodate at least two families for holiday use, if required.

An additional dedicated front entrance door is proposed to serve the new two-storey flat with the rear of the site linking into a passageway which leads through to King Street.

To maintain the character of the building the application suggests retaining the existing signage and replacing the garage doors with sliding sectional doors of a similar character. Existing brick features on the front of the building will also be retained at first floor level while to the rear the single storey area will be reduced to allow a larger courtyard, which could also accommodate a hot tub.

Comments on the application, 2021/05470, can be submitted to the council until January 23rd.