CAMPAIGNERS opposed to West Dorset District Council’s proposed office move staged a roadshow in Dorchester.

Members of the Stop Council Offices Now (SCON) group sent up helium balloons to illustrate the dimensions of the council’s new office block at Charles Street.

Campaigners also took the roadshow to Bridport, Beaminster and Sherborne.

SCON supporter John Grantham said: “We had to join five lengths of long washing line cord together to show the massive building length of the proposed new offices/library in Dorchester.

“SCON demonstrated there that the offices length at 107 metres is just a metre short of the length of Buckingham Palace (and the height is two metres less).

“Where the proposed building differs from Buckingham Palace is in its depth – the proposed office block is very thin at just 16.5 metres – the building is actually six-and-a-half times as long as it is wide. This goes against conventional and accepted rules on energy saving.”

SCON has written to the council’s chief executive David Clarke to request a fundamental review of the decision to move offices and design of the building.

A West Dorset District Council spokesman said: “The energy efficient design of the Charles Street development meets the internationally-recognised ‘excellent’ standard set by BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method).

“The district council has taken into account factors such as transport, recycling, energy and water use, as well as a green approach to construction.

“The new building will be approximately half the floor area of the High West Street campus.

“In addition to the cost saving and environmental benefits of the new offices, the Charles Street development as a whole will bring £60 million of private investment and 660 new jobs.”