CONCERNS have been raised about access during the redevelopment of the former Weymouth Trimar Hospice building at Greenhill.

A planning application is currently being considered by Dorset Council for eight flats on the site with a replacement coach-house building to add an additional home.

Several neighbours have told the council that they have a service agreement and pay for the upkeep of the road and verges adjacent to Regency Court, which is used for access. They have written to say they are concerned about builders' vehicles using the single-track road during construction work although none object to the plans to convert the building.

Weymouth Town Council has welcomed the application and says it is pleased to see the fabric of the main building being retained.

The planning application for the former hospice includes the demolition of outbuildings, including a large UPVC conservatory to the rear and the modern covered walkway at the side.

The coach-house building to the rear, described as ‘dilapidated’ will be demolished and a new replica coach-house home put up in its place, if planning consent is approved.

The scheme, from Dorchester-based Longshore Developments Ltd, says the site, No 9, was last used as a hospice and day care centre until August 2019 when Trimar moved to a new home in Cromwell Road. It also asks for an increase of four car parking spaces, to 18, with 9 cycle spaces.

Once conversion has taken place, if approved, the site will provide seven 2-bed flats; one 3-bed flat and a 3-bed house on the site of the former coach-house. All of the flats, except one, would be accessed via the existing main door.

The house was built as a private residence, originally called ‘Massandra’, but was only briefly used and was taken over by the Red Cross during the First World War. From 1934 it was used as the town’s eye hospital, which continued until 1989 and was then converted to the hospice in the mid-1990s, officially opened by the Duchess of Norfolk in May 1996.

A decision is expected to be made under delegated powers by a planning officer.