A PLANNING application has been submitted to amend the design of West Dorset District Council’s new offices at Charles Street.

The project’s developer Simons has applied for a non-material amendment to change the angle of the roof to improve the efficiency of solar panels on the roof.

The proposal is to increase the angle of the roof from 20 degrees to 25 degrees, which would result in extending the overall height of the building by 75.7cm. The building would then stand at 20.26m above ground level when viewed from Acland Road and South Walks and 22.76m from the other side of the development.

The change would also create enough space within the roof of the building to house coolers and air handling units to maximise energy efficiency within the building.

Andrew Pollett of Simons Developments said: “Non-material amendments are normal industry practice.

“After planning permission has been granted, slight amendments often have to be made to the design of a development for a number of reasons.

“For what is a relatively small increase to the height of the building, the district council can achieve much greater savings and reduce its carbon footprint even further.”