CIVIC chiefs in Ferndown could soon have a much-needed new town hall.

Town councillors are applying for permission to convert a shop in Penny's Walk which they think would be suitable as new headquarters.

But the proposal has been slammed as a waste of taxpayers' money by one leading member.

Cllr Douglas Lock said rental costs would leap from £4,500 to £20,000 a year under the proposals. And there was the added cost of converting the building to offices.

"Since the office and council chambers are only open part-time at the moment, a shift to such an expensive site would almost certainly generate a need for extra staff which would increase per annum costs by up to a further £15,000," he said.

Councillors and staff have complained for some time of cramped conditions in the existing offices at the King George V Playing Fields.

The move comes as plans to include council premises within a larger scheme to redevelop the village hall appear to have come to a standstill.

A town council spokeswoman said the increase in costs would be minimal as the council's grant to the town's leisure centre had been cut from £30,000 to £15,000 a year.

"It's not going to be that horrendous, much less than taking out a £500,000 mortgage for a new town hall," she added.

"The offices would be in the town centre, close to the medical centre, the library and the Ferndown Community Centre and would raise the town council profile with the public and allow for easier access to the council for residents who are currently unaware of the presence of the council offices," he said.

"The space is almost double that currently available at the King George V Pavilion with space to accommodate offices and storage equivalent to that proposed for the village hall.

"The upstairs has the potential to become a very fine and spacious wood-panelled council chamber which would accommodate members of the public more comfortably than at present."

There was also room to install a small two-person lift for wheelchair use and a disabled toilet facility, she added.

East Dorset planners will make a decision on the change of use application at a future date.

First published: October 28