‘OUT of keeping’ timber buildings on a main route in the centre of Sherborne could be demolished – and replaced with two homes.

A planning application has been submitted to Dorset Council to demolish the buildings, on the A30 Yeovil Road, and replace them with two three-storey homes.

The timber structures have formally been home to businesses, including stonemasons and a computer repair firm, but have been empty for some time, the application said.

“While the site owner has actively looked to let the buildings it has not proved feasible,” it went on.

“Apart from the access etc, the buildings themselves are lacking in adequate insulation which any prospective end user would have to take into account.

“The cost of heating now predicted to rise is a major deterring issue.”

An area behind the site, in the same ownership, is accessed via a shared track to a concreted area used for parking.

The buildings are accessed from the pavement off Yeovil Road via a metal staircase, which preclude access for disabled people and those with problems climbing and descending stairs.

“There is no pedestrian access from the rear other than to negotiate around the timber buildings through a narrow space between them,” the application said.

“This means the site cannot comply with the disabled persons act or aspects of the Health & Safety Acts.”

It said ‘there is very little or no prospect of letting the buildings’.

The site is close to listed buildings and is believed to lie within a conservation area, with plans for the new homees to be subitted at a later date, according to the plan.

An indicative drawing of how the houses could look. Picture: Bell Associates/Dorset Council

Indicative drawings of the new homes are part of the plan, with parking at the rear.

“The present façade of the site is out of keeping with the adjoining houses on the same side of Yeovil Road,” the application added.

“Development of this site, subject to later detail, is considered will enhance the area and have no impact on the nearby listed buildings.”

A consultation over the plans is now underway. For full details, and to comment, log on to www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and search for application reference P/PIP/2023/04165.