by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Urgent repairs are planned to the stone front of a Dorchester town centre building.
Areas above the SeaSalt shop at Cornhill are said to have become dislodged posing a risk to the shoppers.
A structural survey has revealed serious deterioration in the Grade II-listed building’s stone façade. Cracking and damage caused by corroding iron cramps embedded within its ashlar stone frontage have been blamed.
Engineers warn that the corrosion is forcing the cramps to expand, damaging the outer stone and posing a growing risk of pieces falling onto the street below – a significant public safety concern given the building’s central location.
The proposed repairs, outlined in a listed building consent application to Dorset Council, aims to preserve the historic character of the property while addressing the structural issues.
A report to the council from SeaSalt says that a specialist conservation contractor will carefully remove and replace the failing iron cramps with stainless steel alternatives to prevent further corrosion. Where possible, original stones will be reused with any beyond repair to be replaced with matching ashlar stone.
The work will also involve removing previous cement-based fixes and reinstating lime-based repairs in line with heritage best practice. According to the application, the intervention will have minimal impact on the building’s historic fabric but is vital to ensure its long-term stability.
Full details of the application can be found on the Dorset Council website, using the reference P/LBC/2026/00064. The application remains open to public comment.
