COUNCILLORS have approved proposals to spend up to £2million of taxpayers' money to support the controversial Charles Street development.

At a heated full council meeting of West Dorset District Council this afternoon members voted by a majority in favour of a series of amended proposals put forward by developers Simons in relation to the second phase of the scheme.

The amendments included the council funding up to £2million of preparatory works including relocating the Dorchester Community Church.

Other changes include replacing the hotel in the original plans for the scheme with 24 apartments and scrapping the lower deck of basement car parking with additional spaces at the Fairfield Market car park replacing it.

See Friday's Echo for the full story.