A DISGRUNTLED councillor is demanding answers about the future of Dorchester ’s Charles Street development .

Alistair Chisholm , who recently chaired a meeting of opposition to the town centre scheme, is calling on West Dorset District Council to open up about the second phase of the development, claiming the public have a ‘right to know’.

He and other district councillors were recently told that an update report would be produced by the autumn.

However, Coun Chisholm has written an open letter to council leader Robert Gould and chief executive David Clarke demanding answers to eight questions. They include whether developers Simons owns the whole of the phase two site, what stage a detailed planning application has reached, how the next phase is being promoted and what is the state of pre-lettings.

Coun Chisholm said: “I believe the council tax payers of West Dorset have a right to know what is happening with reference to phase two of the Charles Street development.”

He is also asking the council to answer questions about a loan given to Simons to assist with a planning submission, whether sufficient funds have been raised to fund the development, the future of the Community Church and whether an agreement has been signed over Dorset County Council’s occupation of the new Dorchester Library and Adult Education Centre.

Coun Chisholm said that a recent report by auditors KPMG stressed the need for the council to be open and transparent with its electors.

He said: “As both a council tax payer and as an elected district councillor, I believe the people of West Dorset deserve answers to these important questions.

“Furthermore, as the KPMG reports clearly states, it will be cheaper and more efficient for the council to be open, honest and transparent in answering these legitimate public questions than for officers’ time to be wasted dealing with these questions over and over again.”

The council has claimed the second phase of the development would help secure £60million worth of private investment and would bring in up to 660 new jobs.

A West Dorset District Council spokesman confirmed the letter has been received.