CHANGES to polling stations have upset two Dorset councillors – with new venues being proposed across the county.

One is unhappy about the change to arrangements for an area of Blandford, the other over residents from the villages of Farnham and Chettle.

Other polling station changes, across the county, are also being made, including several in the Dorchester and Portland areas with facilities being added at some voting venues to help disabled access.

Cllr Noc Lacey-Clarke said he was not happy with the proposal for some residents to cast their votes at the Blandford United Football Club ground – claiming some would have to cross the pitch.

“If it’s not completely accessible to all I can’t accept it,” he told a Dorset Council meeting.

Another North Dorset councillor, Sherry Jespersen, said that making residents of Farnham and Chettle travel to Ashmore village hall to vote was tantamount to disenfranchising some of them because of the lack of public transport and the distances involved.

The county’s Returning Officer, Matt Prosser, said that in both cases no suitable alternative had been found.

He said the football club had been used in the past, without complaints, but he remained open to any suitable suggestions for better locations for all of the polling station until the changes come into effect from February 2024, in time for the May local council elections.

The previous location for voters in the area, at Lavington House, is no longer available.

Mr Prosser said that as a result of the review of the county’s polling stations 20 would be fitted with doorbells to help voters with disabilities summon attention, should they need to, while temporary ramps or handrails would be provided at 4 polling stations and additional lighting added to some others.

Other changes involve a move from the old village hall at Charminster to the new community centre at Weir Road where there is better parking and access.

In Dorchester Lubbecke Way will no longer be used with voters being asked to go to St George’s church hall while those who used to vote in the community room at York Road, Dorchester and at the Boys Brigade Hall at the Sawmills will be asked to vote instead at the cricket pavilion at Weymouth Avenue recreation ground.

Also changing is a switch from the fire station at Poundbury to the Quiet Space.

Those who used to vote at the Storehouse Church in Cambridge Road will be asked to go to the Brownsword Hall in Poundbury.

In Melplash voters will have to move from the village hall, which is being demolished, to the church hall.

On Portland those who used to vote at St Andrew’s church hall, Southwell will move to Compass Terrace at the Atlantic Academy on the Southwell Business Park.

In Lulworth the Park Lodge Shoot building is no longer available with those who used to vote there being asked to go to the Weld Arms, East Lulworth.