THE ‘first step’ on the road to a new project for Charles Street has been taken by councillors.

As reported in the Echo last week, a report seen by West Dorset District Council said lessons were to be learnt following the failed scheme put forward by Simons to develop the site.

Simons was identified as the council’s preferred developer in 2006 but, although the council’s new offices were built the second phase of the scheme featuring shops and apartments never materialised as it was deemed not to be financially viable.

However, West Dorset District Council Executive Committee has now agreed the first recommendations in the process moving forward again.

The committee approved a spend of up to £25,000 for the appointment of consultants GL Hearn and also approved the council’s strategic director, Stephen Hill alongside portfolio holder Cllr John Russell and the Charles Street Working Group to spend up to £25,000.

The two sums were approved to confirm the appointment of GL Hearn to assess the development of Dorchester’s centre and allow the Charles Street Working Group to function efficiently.

The committee also noted the South West Audit Partnership report, which highlighted the lessons that needed to be learnt, including a lack of transparency.

Cllr Alan Thacker said: “It’s a good report in that there are lessons to be learnt and there’s a good foundation moving forward.”

Cllr Tim Yarker, said that the presentation given to the working group by GL Hearn was reason to be positive.

He said: “It’s very encouraging that the Charles Street working group received an excellent presentation from GL Hearn leading to the working group recommendation that they be approached.

“This is really just the first step on what is going to be quite a long road.”

Chairman of the Executive Committee, Anthony Alford, recognised that that risks still remain in taking any project for Charles Street forward.

He said that archaeology is one of the ‘major risks’ and that will not go away.

Once GL Hearn has been formally chosen, it will prepare a draft study and the working group is then likely to provide comments and may then prefer consultation with stakeholders and public communications before finalising the report.

The report also states that £379,000 remains unspent of the £1.4m Charles Street development fund, from which the two sums of £25,000 will be drawn.