A former empty home in Blandford Forum has been redeveloped to provide accommodation for six people.

This will mean that Dorset Council won’t have to rely so much on bed and breakfast accommodation.

The six single bedroom units will provide short-term accommodation for people who need a warm, comfortable place to stay. There will also be specialised support available to help tenants make choices about their future.

West View will be used by people from across the Dorset Council area and follows a six-month renovation of the building, originally identified by a team of officers on the lookout for empty properties.

The council-owned accommodation, renovated jointly by Dorset Council and Stepnell, has been sympathetically modernised to include new, timber sash windows and other enhancements to bring the building back to its original character.

Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council portfolio holder for Housing and Community Safety said: “I am delighted to open West View. This project is something that Dorset Council and Blandford can be proud of. We have taken an empty abandoned building, which was an eyesore and concern for many in the town and renovated it to provide high quality accommodation.

“By providing hands-on support for tenants we will not only be able to provide a safe home but also give them much needed help onto a more permanent home. West View will also help to reduce our use of high-cost bed and breakfast accommodation, helping us to save money. It’s also a great new asset for the council.”