Part of a former builder's merchant site in Dorchester could be turned into serviced apartments – let out for short-term stays.

The Maumbury Road site was part of the Gibbs & Dandy complex until the business closed in September 2020.

A new 'in principal' proposals aims to convert the two former agricultural warehouses and add an extension to create nine apartments on the site.

The developers claim it could create seven part-time jobs.

"Serviced accommodation attracts commercial business rates and offers flexible rental opportunities, although apartments will be air conditioned there will be no requirement for any other plant or machinery with these proposals," said developers Limon Homes Ltd, from Luton.

The plot is almost directly opposite the turning into the Fairfield site off Maumbury Road.

A marketing exercise claims that the site is less likely for re-development than the former Gibbs & Dandy site just off the Great Western Cross junction, alongside the West rail station.

If Dorset Council approves the changes the building will be converted to nine serviced apartments and one ground floor office unit.

Access to the site, which has space for six cars, will be from the existing gated entrances off Maumbury Road.

The proposals include adding a second floor structure between the existing dual roof slopes of the main building which will be set back from the front and rear elevations. Little change is planned to the windows and doors with extensive alterations inside to create the apartments.

The site is sandwiched between a row of houses in Maumbury Road with industrial units on the opposite side and to the rear.

The developers say they hope to partially demolish the rear buildings to open up the section as an amenity landscaped area directly behind the existing residential homes.

The application claims the change to services apartments for short to intermediate lets will support the local tourist industry.

"It also provides short term accommodation for visiting professionals working in the area. Whether it be one or two nights or longer terms via Air B&B for instance, these proposals provide sustainable commercial use for these buildings retaining employment on the site via cleaning and support staff. The renovations proposed will be of benefit to the local area whilst retaining the current street scene and introduce an element of support for the local shops and community by attracting a variety of visitors to the area rather than just the creation of long-term residential units. We have created similar business models on other sites which have proved to be very successful and in high demand."

Documents with the application claims that it would have cost the site owners more than £1million to bring the Gibbs & Dandy site up to date – at a time when the business was described as a "serial loss maker."

Four members of staff were retained by parent company, Jewson, when the business closed, with one taking retirement and another accepting redundancy.