Portland hostel could be converted into social flats
Dorset Council owns the building, and wants to turn it into five flats
A Portland hostel is to be converted to flats for homeless families – if Dorset Council planners agree to the change.
A planning application asks for Hardy House in Castle Road, adjacent to the community hospital entrance, to be converted into five flats with solar panels added to the roof.
The building, which sits in a 820 square metre plot, is owned by Dorset Council but currently used by the Lantern Trust.
It says the proposed flats will all be for “social, affordable or intermediate rent”, three 2-bed, two 1-bed, with a supporting document saying they will be used for homeless families.
Six existing rooms will be lost in the property to create enough room, through internal changes, for the new flats.
The property is part of a group of former naval buildings, the others being Boscawen and Rodney House, which although not listed are designated as “a group of important buildings” which should be retain to help maintain the area’s sense of identity.
Among the changes being proposed, apart from a new layout, are better insulation, a wheelchair access and improved fire safety measures.
Portland councillor Paul Kimber has made the only public comment on the application, to date, saying he supports the proposals and would like to see the plans come before an area committee for a decision.
Public comments on the proposals remain open until August 25th.