NHS workers have moved in to newly-built homes in Dorchester.

Nine apartments have been built on the former parade ground of the town’s historic barracks and the first key workers and their families have moved in.

The £2.4 million development, by Dorcester-based RTI – part of Redtale Holdings Ltd – is at Barrack House, close to Dorset County Hospital and Vespasian House.

Malcolm Curtis, chief executive of Redtale, said: “It is exciting to see the first key workers and their families from the local NHS move into Barrack House.

“As a Dorset based company, we’re proud to play our part in supporting the local community and economy, with high quality accommodation for such essential employees.

“The development of Barrack House shows perfectly how an infill development on a brownfield site can be seamlessly integrated into a sensitive and historic setting, whilst providing essential housing.

“This has been achieved despite a lengthy and occasionally frustrating planning journey, which spanned the pandemic and overcame a series of hurdles.

“The result is a carefully considered and attractive development which respects, complements and enhances its setting in a sustainable and cohesive way.”

Barrack House’s nine, self-contained rental apartments comprise four units with one bedroom and five with two bedrooms for key workers and their families, up to a maximum of 23 occupants.

It has 11 parking spaces as well as cycle storage, and is within easy reach of the hospital and Dorchester town centre.

Barrack House in Dorchester is made up of apartments for key workers

Barrack House was built using air-tight and thermally efficient construction methods along with low and zero carbon (LZC) technologies, including a Joule Modulair All-E exhaust air pump system, where hot water is distributed by insulated pipes and heating via an underfloor system.

It is the latest phase of the Barrack Quarter urban regeneration project at the top of the town in Dorchester.

RTI, based at nearby Vespasian House, has also converted former quartermaster’s stores into five townhouses and two apartments for open market sale.

It has also gained planning consent for a residential extension to Vespasian House and a mixed-used, landmark building with apartments and commercial space.

The military buildings in the area were built in the 19th century and were occupied by the Dorsetshire Regiment.

Following the army’s departure in 1958, they had a number of occupiers.