A BUILDING society is making a two-pronged attempt to win planning permission to convert its Wimborne headquarters into housing.

Teachers Building Society has lodged an appeal after East Dorset planners turned down its plans earlier this year to transform the three-storey Allenview House on the corner of Allenview Road and Hanham Road into 14 flats.

The finance group has also resubmitted its original proposals to planners amid claims it did not get a proper hearing last time.

Members of the East Dorset planning committee voted five to four in favour of refusal even though the council's own planning officers had recommended granting the scheme.

Councillors said they were concerned about the loss of employment opportunity in the town.

But Teachers Building Society, which has its headquarters in the Minster town, claims it is not abandoning the town but just wants to relocate to improved premises in the vicinity.

Marketing manager Mike Hislop said: "We're expecting the resubmitted application to come before planning at the end of September and the appeal comes up in February.

"Obviously if we get the go-ahead next month the appeal won't proceed. We did feel the original application was a strong one and we want it to get a good airing and the decision hopefully will be in our favour."