Permission granted for laboratory student homes

Students from Freshwater Biological Association River Laboratory struggled to find suitable digs

Student accommodation will be offered at a Dorset river laboratory for the first time.

The Freshwater Biological Association River Laboratory, in East Stoke and on the banks of the River Frome, has been granted planning permission to convert offices and a library.

The decision, an exception to normal planning rules, was taken because many students were having difficulty in finding, affordable local accommodation.

Dorset Council's planning case officer, said that normally residential accommodation would not be allowed in the area of outstanding natural beauty.

But they added that the external changes to the building would be minimal.

Drawings show the creation of four bedrooms with a shared living, dining and kitchen area, showers and toilets.

The association was founded in the 1920s, bought the East Stoke site in 1957, and opened it in 1963, with its main headquarters at Windermere.

The centre provides one of the longest-lasting ecological surveys undertaken anywhere in the world, often involving students and their scientist supervisors having to work anti-social hours.

Although the accommodation can cater for up to four students the association said that, generally, they expect to only have one or two students in residence for up to eight months of a year.

The new facilities will be used by students from Queen Mary University London, Bournemouth University, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Freshwater Biological Association.