Dorchester town councillors will not object to proposals to convert part of a former builder's merchant site into serviced apartments – let out for short-term stays.

They say there is a need in the town for properties which are available for a few weeks, or periods shorter than the minimum for most letting agreements.

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

Councillors on the town's planning and environment committee voted to raise no objection to the changes.

The meeting heard that junior doctors and nurses who came to the county hospital as part of their training often found it difficult to get a short-term let in the town, as did contract workers for the Dorset Council.

The 'in principal' proposals aims to convert the two former agricultural warehouses into homes 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," said developers Limon Homes Ltd, from Luton.

The Maumbury Road site is almost directly opposite the junction with the lower Fairfield Road.

If Dorset Council approve 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.

"We have created similar business models on other sites which have proved to be very successful and in high demand," said a document with the application.