New Dorset Council signs for the existing district council headquarters at South Walks House, Dorchester are expected to get planning permission this week.

The West Dorset planning committee, meeting on Thursday (21), will be told that replacing the district council’s signs with those of the new authority will result in little material difference to the building, which is in the town’s conservation area.

Neither Dorchester Town Council or the Highways Authority have chosen to comment on the application and an advertisement failed to draw any public comments.

“It is considered that the scale and design of the new signage is appropriate when viewed in context against the existing building and will not be detrimental to the character or setting of the conservation area,” say an officer report.

“The signage is to be non-illuminated and of an appropriate scale and design and accordingly, the proposal is considered not to introduce any neighbour amenity issues.”

The controversial building, which many residents objected to when it was built, was completed in 2012. It runs close to to the old Roman fortifications for the town and was constructed on piling to preserve the remains of Roman houses and streets which lie beneath the building.