Sixteen supported living homes are planned for part of the Age UK site in Prince of Wales Road, Dorchester.

A new block of 12 flats is proposed for the front of the site with a terrace of four bungalows to the rear. Each will be one-bedroom with the development also providing six car parking spaces and an office for staff. It will cater for people with a range of complex needs, including wheelchair users.

The flats' building on Prince of Wales Road is designed to look similar in style and size to other detached-villa buildings on the rest of the road.

Application papers say that existing buildings, which are described as 'low quality', will need to be demolished to make way for the development.

All of the proposed new buildings have been designed for maximum energy efficiency with proposals for air source, ground source and photovoltaic cells being considered with a final decision expected to be made on which will be best system prior to construction starting.

The application has brought an objection from the immediate neighbours who say they will find it difficult to face more disruption from building work after 15 years of putting up with Brewery Square being developed to the rear of their garden.

They also claim that the block of flats would reduce their light and increase noise and traffic.

Local councillors Molly Rennie and Stella Jones have welcomed the development which Cllr Rennie describes as a good use for the site, close to the town centre. Cllr Jones has asked for new tree planting to be considered at the site, behind the front wall, and for the roof of the bungalows to be changed from flat, to pitched.

Support has also come from the town's Civic Society.

Said a document with the planning application: "The proposal is to bring something of real design quality to this area of Dorchester.

"Backing onto the brewery, it was important that the rear buildings were sympathetic, but not pastiche. The proposal for exciting, low rise bungalows with traditional materials is one that should be encouraged.

"To the front, a design narrative of continuing the street scene design, with a carefully selected material palette to match the street, and detailing that pays homage to its neighbours is the correct solution going forward. The overall use for the site has value and integrity… this proposal offers a change to bring in a use that will last for another few generations."

The application, P/FUL/2021/00987, remains open for public comment until June 7.