THE 30-year wait is over as it is announced that work is to begin on the first phase of the £60 million Charles Street development in Dorchester.

Work on the first part of the project to build controversial new offices for West Dorset District Council will start in June.

The phase also includes a new library and adult learning centre for Dorset County Council.

Construction work will employ up to 100 people on site, many of whom will be recruited locally.

As well as the £9.7million council office development, the site will be converted into a mixed scheme involving 20 shops, including a bigger Waitrose, flats, a hotel and an underground car park with 485 parking spaces. This second phase will begin next year.

The development, which got planning permission last September, comes after 30 years of failed schemes and debates over the prime site which is covered by car parks.

Developer Simons confirmed yesterday that Cowlin, part of the Balfour Beatty group, would be the contractor for the first phase and work starts early next month.

It comes after a roadshow by campaigners against the council office move to Charles Street.

Cowlin divisional managing director Neil Sherreard said: “Cowlin has a proud track record of delivering schemes of this nature and we look forward to completing a development that the people of Dorchester will benefit from for years to come.

“During the construction programme, we estimate we will be employing up to 100 people on site, many of whom will be from the local area.

“This will provide the local economy with an instant boost.”

Simons’ Project Director Andrew Pollett said the development had been a ‘long time coming.’ West Dorset District Council leader Robert Gould added: “The move to smaller, greener offices will save the district council £224,000 a year, even after the cost of the new building is taken into account.

“This money will be used to protect district council services and keep council tax low.”

But the business community is concerned by the loss of 226 car parking spaces when work begins.

Manager of Owen and Simpson in Trinity Street David Taylor said: “It’s a loss of a central established car park which has been used for many years.

“Despite the efforts of the council, when visitors come into the town they will see that the Charles Street car park is closed, get frustrated and drive off.”

He added: “We are all going through an extremely tough time in the present economic climate and therefore I think it’s going to kill off local businesses – it’s practically suicide.”

His neighbour Jake Essame, manager of Joshua’s homeware shop, said: “I think losing spaces will affect trade.

“A lot of shoppers and visitors to the town use that car park because it’s very central.”

Newly-elected West Dorset District councillor Alistair Chisholm, also a member of Stop Council Offices Now (SCON), shared concerns about a reduction in parking spaces, adding: “We have not abandoned the SCON campaign but what we are now able to do is limited.

“At the end of the day, we may have to accept that this thing is going to go ahead but there are a lot of questions that are still left unanswered and I am determined to get those answers.”

Responding to concerns about loss of parking, West Dorset District Council’s Director of Environment David Evans said: “Before the work starts 154 spaces in Wollaston Field car park will be switched from long to short stay.

“An additional park and ride site near Morrisons in Weymouth will provide extra long-stay spaces for workers travelling from Weymouth.

“The council knows that parking for Dorchester shoppers and workers will be an issue during the building works.

“We will manage the short-term disruption where possible. However, I believe that the longer-term benefits for the town will outweigh the short term pain while the scheme is built.”