DETAILS of the proposals for the former North Quay council offices in Weymouth will be discussed at a council meeting next week.

Magna Housing has put forward a series of proposals for the former borough council headquarters and has held a public consultation on the ideas.

The borough management committee, meeting on February 5, will be asked to select one of the initial designs which can be worked up into a planning application.

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It is also being asked to agree a formal joint venture agreement with Magna and the terms of a £3 million Homes England grant. The final agreement will also need the approval of the shadow executive of the Dorset Council which will be taking the redevelopment forward from April.

A report to councillors says that the borough council will be responsible for the demolition of the former council offices, site clearance and enabling works although this will depend on gaining the Homes England grant for what are described as 'abnormal site costs.'

The Magna plans include homes for older people and families and a limited area of commercial space with a scheme of 3, 4 and 5-storeys, with the possibility of one block extending to six storeys in one of the options.

A public consultation has resulted in 67 per cent saying they like the Magna proposals, 61 per cent agreeing that the mix of shared ownership and rented homes was 'about right'. Almost 77 per cent said they would like some space open to the community with most favouring a cafe as the top choice, followed by leisure facilities and then shops.