A new purpose-built ‘hub’ for adult social care in Bridport is likely to be built on the Wessex Water site off South Street.

Dorset County Council cabinet members will be making their decision behind closed doors at their meeting next Wednes-day, October 1.

After public consultation the choice of where to build the hub – part of a £4.7 million investment – has been narrowed down to council land near the Fisher-man’s Arms or the water authority site.

Cllr Jill Haynes, cabinet member for adult social care, told Tuesday’s Bridport Town Council meeting why the preferred option is on private land.

She said feasibility studies had been done on both sites and the Wessex land came out on top.

She said: “Firstly it is central and that is one of the main things that people said they wanted.

“Secondly it gives us the opportunity to work with the CAB using that building and [also] to work with the libraries.

“We are looking to increase our library role into that of information and advice. [We have] a very good opportunity to build on the information and advice part of adult social care.”

Cllr Dave Rickard said he was surprised that a privately-owned site with planning permission was preferable to council land.

He said: “Once you flag that up as your preferred site, advisors for Wessex Water will up the price.”

Cllr Haynes said: “We are much further down the line than that with Wessex Water.”

She added that there would be more consultation on the details of what would be in the hub.

The £4.7 million investment includes a replacement for the Sidney Gale care home and Cllr Haynes renewed her pledge that it would not be closed without a replacement.

“Our research shows that people are looking for us to provide supported housing – a halfway place where you can have your own front door or your own kitchen but if you need somebody’s help they are very close by.”

Martin Paley, outgoing manager of the CAB, and Barbara Vousden, chairman of the trustees of Chancery House day centre, welcomed the plans.