A BIOMASS boiler may be used to heat Dorchester’s Corn Exchange complex in the future.

The building alone accounts for around 85 per cent of the town council’s total annual gas bills and over 55% its total electricity costs.

Town clerk Adrian Stuart says that the ageing gas boilers within the building are in need of replacement and, in line with the council’s position on the climate emergency, it has been advised by Low Carbon Dorset that biomass would be a suitable carbon neutral alternative.

Town councillors were told on Monday evening that while it wanted to make the changes issues over the historic building being listed might yet defeat the idea, along with an aspiration to add solar panels to the roof. The authority has previously had problems with listed building status when it wanted to make other changes, including replacing a lift.

The council will now talk to potential biomass boiler installers, with officers asking for specialist independent advice and discuss heating options with the operators of other listed buildings.

A grant application will also be made to Low Carbon Dorset for a package of measures to significantly reduce energy use within the building as a short-term measure.

“Since declaring a climate emergency the town council is leading the way in doing what it said it would do, but it would have been impossible without our staff, who in many ways have led us,” said Cllr Tim Harries.