Dorchester listed building damaged by beetles
Strengthening works will need to be carried out
A listed building in Dorchester's town centre is in need of specialist works, after its structure's been damaged by beetles.
The site in South Street, which is home to Hotter Shoes on its ground floor, needs strengthening works on the second floor.
The building's owned by a Blandford charity, with Dorset Council now agreeing an application to carry out timber repairs and internal alterations.
The agents, Symonds and Sampson, say cracking was first spotted in 2018 to the ceiling of a first-floor storage area at the front of the building, with damaged timber joists and beams caused by beetles then discovered on the second floor.
A removal of a ceiling revealed that the beetle infestation had caused a loss of strength to the central beam running from front to back of the building.
In 2020, one area of the building was cleared and steel straps installed to prevent any further movement.
We're told the building remains safe, and access won't be affected while the work's carried out.
A Dorset Council report concluded that the work would the listed elements of the building, but they're necessary:
“This harm is far outweighed by the structural benefit to the building, and the sustainable future of the building. The proposed works are necessary to ensure the building is maintained in good condition and can have a sustainable future use.
"The repair works are ‘honest’ repairs and are appropriate in this instance given the serious structural issues caused by the infestation and movement. Holistically, the works will not adversely impact on the character of the building.”