West Dorset district councillors are to consider the disposal options for their current Dorchester headquarters.
On 11 December the district council’s Executive Committee will decide the way forward for the Stratton House complex.
Later this month the move to a new building in South Walks will begin. These new offices will cost £9.7 million to build and fit out, £1 million less than the original budget.
Property and Facilities Manager Rosie Darkin said: “We continue to receive expressions of interest in the Stratton House complex. This gives us confidence that we will be able to realise a better price than the initial bids received.
“The recommendation is to remarket the site to enable those who have expressed an interest to submit a formal bid. Stratton House would then be sold.
“Even if we accept the lowest bid received to date we will still save £200,000 a year by moving to smaller, greener and more efficient offices. This is the case even taking into account the costs of building and fitting out the new offices.
“Given what is happening with energy prices, which are increasing well above inflation, the move will actually see us save more than we ever anticipated on energy costs.”
The collection of buildings currently occupied by West Dorset District Council, which includes Grade 1, Grade 2* and Grade 2 listed properties, were not designed to be used as offices.
The layout of the current offices is very inefficient in terms of space. Almost 40 per cent is corridors and stairs which have to be heated and lit.
Eco-friendly features in the design of the new council HQ meet an internationally-recognised ‘excellent’ standard. These include photovoltaic cells to generate solar electricity, a very high level of insulation and ‘mixed mode’ ventilation, using the cooling effect of the natural air temperature.
These will help cut energy bills and reduce CO2 emissions by 327,000kg a year – the equivalent of planting 15,000 trees (based on 22kg CO2 absorbed per tree per year. Source: Trees for the Future).
There will also be better facilities for customers, including:
- The current cramped reception will be replaced with comfortable waiting areas, smart booths and private interview rooms
- Up-to-date self service points where customers can access computers and online information themselves
- More services will be available in one place, so customers won’t have to walk around the block and queue up again
- For the first time ever people with disabilities will be able to access the whole building
For more information about West Dorset District Council’s new offices go to www.dorsetforyou.com/newoffices
