West Dorset District Council office relocation

As part of its search for savings the council needs to move to more efficient offices to protect key services and keep council tax down. The move will mean:

• Savings from day one with no increase to the district council's share of your council tax

• Investment in Dorchester's town centre and support for the local economy

• A more efficient district council

• Better access in a central location for users of public services

• A greener council

Moving from our current offices will also:

• Free up town centre car parking spaces currently occupied by council staff

• Allow the Old Crown Court to be developed as an internationally important visitor attraction

• Help create 660 private sector jobs once the Charles Street development is finished and increase retail spending in the town

• Help to provide a new library and adult learning centre

A leaflet (pdf, 927kb) (opens in a new window)  is available providing more information about why are moving to Charles Street, including the financial implications of the move.

• Reasons for the move

  Information about why the district council plans to move its Dorchester headquarters from High Street West to Charles Street.

• Efficient and accessible services

  The purpose built and accessible new offices will benefit service users and the environment.

• Making sense of the savings

  How the district council will immediately save £224,000 a year by moving, even after taking into account the build cost.

• Wider benefits of the Charles Street development

  The district council offices are part of the Charles Street development, which represents £60million of private investment into Dorchester.

• Frequently asked questions - new district council offices

  Frequently asked questions about the district council's plans to move its Dorchester headquarters from High West Street to Charles Street.