25th July 2012

WEST DORSET: Uncertain future for district council offices

By Trevor Bevins

WEST Dorset District Council has been unable to confirm whether or not it has found a buyer for its High West Street offices and associated buildings in Dorchester.

There are now fears that at least some of the site will remain empty when staff move out towards the end of the year – with a second marketing exercise needed.

In a statement issued last week the council said: “The district council recently conducted an initial tender exercise for the disposal of the Stratton House campus.

“We received several bids in relation to the sale of the site. Officers are now considering the bids and potential next steps. In due course they will draft a report on the matter for councillors to consider.”

The View has asked for an explanation of the phrase “initial tender exercise” as it had previously been understood there would only be one – and for confirmation of whether the bids are for the whole of the site, or, as we have been told, for just parts of it.

We have also asked how many bids were received and for a timetable for the next phase in the disposal of the building.

Sources claim that the only viable bids are for small properties in Glyde Path Road and Colliton Street and the accompanying car park.

Opponents of the district council’s move to new offices in Charles Street fear the site may become run-down if a suitable buyer cannot be found.

The Bristol-based company, GVA, which has been marketing the offices and outlying buildings since May has said from the outset that they were confident of finding a buyer, or buyers if the site is sub-divided.

Their sales brochure offered around 4,600 square metres of office space over a 1.6 acre site, together with around 85 car parking spaces.

The site, or campus’ as the district council has chosen to call it, also includes the former county path’ laboratory, Glyde Path House; the cottages at 36-41 Colliton Street, which are used as offices; 17 and 17a Colliton Street and Old School House.

Also for sale is the Bennets Court car park in Colliton Street.

“The campus would suit a variety of uses which may include offices, leisure, retail and residential, to be achieved through sympathetic conversion and redevelopment of the existing buildings,” said the sales brochure.

The sale was by informal tender with offers invited for all the properties or for individual lots.

Robert Gould, leader of West Dorset District Council, said: “The sale of these properties is part of our agreed strategy to relocate to smaller offices in Charles Street later this year, so generating best return on our investment, and best value for the town.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for a sensitive development to bring a new lease of life to this area of Dorchester.”

At the time of going to press the district council was unable to comment.

PICTURE: WDDC leader Robert Gould days the sale of its High West Street site will generate ‘best return on our investment’