A FORMER youth service office in North Square, Dorchester is to be converted into homes.

The Routes office, on the corner of North Square and Colliton Street, was shut more than six years ago after funding cuts. It has remained, un-used, since then.

The listed building, which is within the Conservation Area, had a similar conversion plan approved four years ago, retaining the commercial space, but was never started.

The latest application will convert the building into three flats; one two-bed, the others one-bed; the ground floor flat having access to a basement which, a planning agent suggests, could be used as a lounge. Externally the building will see little changes apart from the addition of roof lights.

For more than 20 years Routes offered information, advice and guidance to the county's young people initially supported by the Dorset County Council Youth Service and Social Services, West Dorset District Council, the Primary Care Trusts, the Connexions service and other charities.

During its time the service provided support for an estimated 6,000 young people, often in times of crisis, helping many move on to education, employment, training or volunteering. The number of young people attending the centre dropped in the final year of operation, partly as a result of raising the school leaving age to 18 and the introduction of other youth services.

The building was shared with other services for young people in its later years, run mainly by the Dorset Youth Association.

At its peak the building had 10 staff delivering services including mental health support, drug and alcohol advice, housing advice, a young parent's group, pregnancy and sexual health services, and the Fresh Start programme, along with others.