DORSET Council is recommending its headquarters in South Walks House, Dorchester, be permanently closed and transformed for residential use, in moves which are feared will dramatically impact the town’s economy.

The building has been controversial since even before it was built - and critics have branded it a ‘huge waste of taxpayers’ money’.

The proposal to permanently shut the site will be explained in papers for the Places & Resources Scrutiny Committee on March 25, where Dorset Council will recommend seeking planning permission to repurpose the building for residential use, whilst retaining the public library.

The Dorchester offices have been closed since the start of lockdown last year and even with an easing of restrictions Dorset Council has said it will continue to have many of its staff working from home, at least part-time.

The council has proposed the library and learning centre, attached to the west end of the building, will remain open, with a new customer access point within it.

Dorset Council has proposed employees be moved in County Hall, Coalition Park, and plans to invest £2.1m into a range of energy saving measures.

The decision to permanently close South Walks House has been met with disappointment from councillors, who have concerns on the impact of Dorchester's economy.

Mayor of Dorchester Town Council Richard Biggs said: "The closure of South Walks House has wider implications for Dorchester as this will be a loss of roughly 400 workers from the town which will affect the viability of the town centre.

"Senior staff will move to County Hall but most others will either work from home or move to different locations so the lunchtime economy in that area will be lost.

"Dorchester has always been the administrative hub of Dorset but we are losing that identity. I worry how this decision will affect the town's long term viability.

"When it was proposed that the building would be built there was a consultation for the people of Dorchester on whether they wanted it and they said no but it was built anyway. Everyone knew we would end up with a unitary council and this was money wasted.

"In both foresight and hindsight this was a huge waste of taxpayers' money. It is regretful."

Cllr Les Fry said: "I have concerns about the loss of trade in Dorchester if workers no longer need to come into the town centre, however, whatever the building turns into could be beneficial for the economy and help it to thrive so I am trying to be optimistic."