I drove past the Charles Street development yesterday.

I was really impressed by the size and majesty of the building.

What vision the planners had, to allow a building that so dwarfs all its surroundings. It completely changes that old, county town image with its sunny, leafy glades inviting shoppers and tourists to spend time walking round. Instead, the planners have gone for the dark, industrial estate, utilitarian look that a modern exciting town needs in its centre.

I hope that the pre-cast panel cladding will be painted magnolia or maybe an exciting new radical white. What a huge boost this building will be to Dorchester’s booming charity shop sector.

I wouldn’t wonder that there aren’t dozens of companies dying to get into the spare Charles Street offices rather than those cheap Poundbury offices with their car parking and main road access.

If council leader Robert Gould et al hadn’t noticed, this is what we on Portland call sarcasm.

Ian Hall Reforne Portland