FORTY-FIVE jobs will be created in Dorchester if planning permission is given for a new 76-bed budget hotel instead of flats.

The developers of Brewery Square were planning quite soon to start building a block of 48 apartments above shops and a basement car park.

But an offer came in for the space that was due to be taken up by 34 of those flats – an offer of providing budget hotel accommodation that developers now want to see succeed.

The main reason is spelled out in an application to West Dorset District Council.

“The proposal assists in the delivery of the main square and the commercial elements around it, and improves the viability of the overall Brewery Square scheme.”

The proposal is also meant to complement the establishment of a Four Star hotel in The Brewhouse.

If the budget hotel scheme is approved – and Dorchester Town Council has raised no objection to it -  45 new jobs would be created in management, catering and cleaning.

Fourteen flats would still be built in the so-called Ammonite building, which is to be located just over the road from the railway station.

However, there could be a knock-on effect on the overall number of affordable homes provided as part of the Brewery Square scheme. Affordable properties are supposed to make up 30% of the total of new dwellings: that’s 182. There could now instead be 10 fewer: that’s 172.

There would also be one less shop on the ground floor of Ammonite, so that the hotel can have a reception.

You can find out more about the application by clicking on this link. 

Comments should be made to West Dorset District Council by May 21, quoting reference number 1/D/10/000659.

Editor’s Note: One of the interesting things about this plan is the question of whether it could have any effect on the controversial proposals for the £60 million redevelopment of the Charles Street site in Dorchester. At the end of April, developers Simons submitted plans for a range of facilities including a new £10.7 million district council HQ and a 60-bedroom hotel.

At the time, on this site, Claire commented: “I am sure that a new hotel is called for, but if it were really so, surely a private developer with business savvy would be looking at buildings already in the town? As someone whose business depends rather heavily on visitors and 2nd homers I appreciate that we need to invest in tourism. but why does it have to be the Council to speculate first, with our money?? Surely they should be investing in those of us already living here?”

The Brewery Square / Ammonite scheme would suggest that “a private developer with busines savvy” has indeed been looking around. Everything about this scheme has been agreed; it only needs planning permission.

Dorchester was widely agreed to be short of hotels, aside from The Kings Arms, The Wessex Royale, and The Junction. If there are now going to be two more at Brewery Square, will there be a need for a third on the Charles Street site?

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