We were originally told that the requirement for new headquarters for West Dorset District Council was imposed on the council by the fact that Stratton House could not be modernised or developed to meet the needs of the council.

The boilers were old and it was too expensive to heat, offices were small, there were too many corridors and the status of the building, listed as a building of special architectural or historical interest meant that it could not be developed.

Having myself planned and supervised the development of nationally important listed buildings I found that surprising.

We were told that Stratton House would be sold to the National Trust, thus defraying the cost of a replacement building.

We were also told that 17 alternative sites were considered before settling on the Charles Street Site.

We were told that a full public consultation had taken place, yet many local residents seem unaware of any such consultation.

We were not told until the public meeting held in Dorchester that nearly £1million had already been paid to the developers.

Why? We were also not told why WDDC ignored a poll conducted by the town council showing 98 per cent of those taking part to be against the proposal.

I was told that although local reservations were recognised, it was, of course, now too late to amend the contract because it had already been signed.

Finally, I was told that ‘the council’s parking strategy will ensure that its own and other public employers staff use park and ride in order to free up more town centre car parks and that further long stay spaces across the town’s car parks will be converted to short stay, increasing the use by more than four times and helping to attract residents and visitors’.

There now appears to be a plan to develop Stratton House for housing and offices.

I wonder what the long-suffering citizens of Dorchester are going to meet next.

Surely, this proposal is crying out for a proper public inquiry.

Anthony Holt

Dorchester