OPPONENTS to West Dorset District Council’s new offices have called time on their campaign.

The Stop Council Offices Now (SCON) group has announced it is winding up its campaign, with members saying it is time to move on with construction now underway on the site.

Alistair Chisholm, who was elected as an independent councillor for West Dorset in May after his vocal opposition to the new offices in Charles Street, said: “There is little point in continuing a campaign against the offices on a brick-by-brick basis.

“We now have to accept that West Dorset District Council is building an office block that will not enhance the Dorchester townscape one bit, but is likely to be a concrete reality.”

Councillor Chisholm said he wants to see West Dorset District Council (WDDC) now secure a future for its current home at Stratton House and the Old Crown Court and Cells that form part of the building.

The office block will also contain the new Dorchester Library and adult education centre run by Dorset County Council.

Mr Chisholm added: “We ask that the County Council creates a new library and adult education centre that will provide books, accommodation and services of which the county town can be proud.”

Sarah Wilkinson, a leading SCON campaigner, said: “We ran a spirited campaign which had huge support in the Dorchester area.

“The district council’s decision-making process is now being examined by the external auditor and we believe that this may uncover serious failings.

“If nothing else, the SCON campaign will ensure that the Council’s procedures are tightened up and that any new contracts with developers are conducted with more openness, accountability and integrity.”

She urged local electors who wished to object to the auditor to look at the procedures for doing so online at <&bh"http://tinyurl.com/5s8dhmc">http://tinyurl.com/ 5s8dhmc<&eh> Lorna Low, another SCON activist, said she wants to see the district council do its best to ameliorate the parking problems caused during the building phase.

She said: “Businesses in the town are concerned that the loss of parking places has already and will continue to hit them hard at a time when they are struggling.

“Businesses, shoppers and visitors need alternative provision and better signage.”

Coun Chisholm promised that, although the SCON campaign was coming to an end, he would continue to hold the council to account.

He said: “I will continue to hold WDDC’s executive to account to the best of my ability.

“But now is the time to move on to positive projects that enhance West Dorset and provide more useful services to its population.”

The group organised a demonstration march against the office move in May and raised nearly £4,000 to consult a legal expert on whether or not to take the decision to build the offices to judicial review.

Following the legal advice SCON decided against taking it to review.