Demolition of the former borough council offices in Weymouth could still be an option.

Further investigations into the the future of the eyesore North Quay building have commenced, with more information being put forward to councillors in the coming months.

The application to demolish the site to clear it for redevelopment was thrown out by Dorset Council's area planning committee in a surprise move earlier this month.

Planners decided that the building should be re-used – citing a national planning policy to convert older buildings, where possible.

Several councillors said that the authority had signed up to climate emergency measures and should act according to those principles.

Committee members were also unhappy about the cost and wasted building materials, much of which would have gone to landfill in the course of demolition, and site clearance which would have been paid for by public money.

In response, Dorset Council, which owns the building, said it was committed to redeveloping the harbourside site, although it was not clear how this would happen.

In an updated statement, the council has now said a new application is being worked on.

Various options – including demolition as well as reuse of the building – are being explored further, and new and updated information, supported by environmental and financial implications, will be presented to the planning committee.

Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Planning, said: “Following the Southern & Western Planning Committee’s decision to vote against the proposed demolition of the offices at North Quay in Weymouth, Dorset Council officers, representing the council as the owner of North Quay, have made a formal request to the local planning authority that the current application is withdrawn.

"Senior officers are now working hard to put together additional information in relation to the sustainability and reuse of the building, and the potential environmental impact of its demolition, which was the main concern for some members of the planning committee.

"Dorset Council will then submit a new application – with the additional information – to the committee in the coming months so that elected members can make a fully-informed decision on the merits of the application.”

Under original plans, the 48-year-old North Quay building was due to be pulled down this winter, with the site cleared by next spring.

It was envisaged the site would become a temporary car park ahead of redevelopment work. Dorset Council would work with Magna Housing to build homes at the site.