The planning application for the new West Dorset District Council Offices has finally been lodged with the Council. The next step is for the Council to decide whether to grant itself planning consent for its new offices. Yes, really!
Have your say
We, the people who will have to pay for the offices, do at least have an opportunity to comment on the planning application. Unfortunately, whether or not the new offices make sense financially is not considered relevant to the planning process. However, we can at least have our say on the design.
It is definitely worth lodging an objection; the application will be discussed by a committee of elected Councillors and they do have the power to refuse planning consent even if the Council’s officers recommend approval. The Councillors need to know how strongly people feel about this and any member of the public who submits a written comment has the right to speak for up to three minutes at the meeting.
We need to encourage the Councillors to be brave on this issue and stand up for the people who elected them rather than just meekly do what they are told.
How to do it
The planning application has the reference 1/D/10/000763. You can go into Stratton House and ask to see the plans, they are also available online.
There are two ways that you can comment:
- by post to Andrew Martin, WDDC, Stratton House, 58-60 High West Street, Dorchester, DT1 1UZ or;
- online at www.dorsertforyou.com, the link takes you to West Dorset’s planning applications page, where you need to input the reference above.
All comments must be received by the Council by June 18th at the latest and don’t forget to use the reference number in all correspondence.
The new Council offices are part of a major redevelopment scheme for Charles Street and the plans are for the whole scheme. You can object to the offices without commenting on the rest of the scheme or you can have your say on other elements of the development as well.
What is considered relevant in planning terms
Only comments on the design of the building, its impact on the surrounding area and whether it conforms to the Council’s own planning policies will be considered.
You could, for example, object on one or more of the following grounds:
- the building is detrimental to the character and appearance of Dorchester’s conservation area on the grounds of its size, height and/or length;
- the building will overshadow South Walks which is a scheduled ancient monument;
- the attempt to build offices on Charles Street is contrary to policy EA14 in the local plan which says there should only be shopping, leisure/arts/tourism uses or housing on this site;
- the design of the office building has no local distinctiveness which is contrary to policy DA3;
- the design is significantly larger than nearby buildings which is contrary to policy DA5;
- the design is not sympathetic or in keeping with the surrounding area contrary to policy DA7;
- there is a loss of trees and of open space in what is otherwise a fairly built up area.
Just use your own words to express your views. The more objections the better and the more likely that Councillors will throw out the application.
Our online poll is still open for people to vote Yes or No on the new offices. If you haven’t already voted, go to officespoll.org.uk. Tell your friends!
