A GROUP opposed to West Dorset District Council’s new offices is calling for work to stop now for the benefit of Dorchester.

The Reason is Winning on Offices group wants to see the Charles Street development site returned to car parking as soon as possible to stop traders losing out.

John Grantham, from the group, said members had been lobbying councillors about what they claimed was the authority’s failure to consider an alternative new office proposal to the rear of their existing premises at Stratton House.

He said they had also been asking councillors about the potentially devastating impact of losing parking spaces in the northern part of the Charles Street car park, on top of the 226 spaces already lost, when phase two of the scheme – the retail element of the development – began.

Mr Grantham said the car park closure, which could be for up to 160 weeks, had ‘astonished’ local businesses and could result in a loss of millions of pounds worth of trade in the town.

WDDC has promised to provide alternative parking to compensate for the further loss of spaces – including the new suggestion of making one of the existing car parks in the town two storey to provide additional capacity.

However, Mr Grantham said: “These car parks are essential to Dorchester’s business.

“WDDC may now seek alternative solutions but these couldn’t be as convenient, will add cost, and can’t compensate for the damage of nullifying the south car park especially when the 280-space north car park alongside will incredibly be shut for 160 weeks.”

He added: “WDDC’s projected offices saving of £220,000 a year – now surely a loss – insignificant in this context.

“The only issue is the county town’s future.”

Mr Grantham said the Reason is Winning on Offices group was asking the council to ‘do the right thing’ and remove the steelworks already put in place on the office site so it could be returned to a car park and to consider alternative sites for the scheme.

A West Dorset District Council spokesman said the alternative scheme for the Stratton House site had been considered in 2008.

Responding to the parking claims, council leader Robert Gould said that, while the council recognised the issue needed ‘careful management’, the completed scheme would include 485 public car parking spaces and measures had been put in place to compensate for the current loss of car parking.

He added: “We are considering a range of options to deal with the temporary reduction of parking spaces once phase two of the Charles Street development begins.

“These include additional temporary or permanent park and ride spaces, plus the possibility of double decking an existing car park in the town.”

Councillor Gould also promised that the scheme would have long-term economic benefits to the town, bringing in £60million of private investment and 660 new jobs.

He said: “The longer-term benefits for the town will outweigh the short-term inconvenience.

“The new district council HQ, which forms part of phase one along with a new library and adult learning centre, will be smaller, greener and save over £220,000 a year.”