'Decision needed' on Dorchester church purchase

The home of Dorchester Community Church was built in 1903 and is in need of repair

Trustees of a church, which is in the way of a town centre development, say they urgently need a decision about its future.

West Dorset councillors are considering plans to buy Dorchester Community Church for £700,000, plus £205,000 to help it relocate to Poundbury.

If agreed by the executive, it would clear the way for Dorchester's Charles Street development.

The trustees say the church has been in limbo for 30 years.

The district council's efficiency and scrutiny committee met earlier and agreed the acquisition would represent good value for money.

The proposal must now be considered by the council's executive committee, who are due to meet on 14 July.

'Kill the whole thing'

Tim Westwood, chair of church trustees, said: "The council have been trying to redevelop Charles Street for nearly 30 years. Certainly, we've been wanting to sort out our own church - it's been there since 1903.

"It's really getting very tired, but we've been unwilling to spend a lot of money on it. We really do need to either stay and develop or go somewhere new."

The church hopes to commission a new building in Poundbury next to the planned Damers First School, which is relocating from Damers Road.

Mr Westwood said: "If we can build at the same time, there's a scale of economy, and we know if we are unable to sign the contract at the appropriate time, we are going to suffer a 25% increase in cost, which would kill the whole thing."

Council leader Anthony Alford said: "We've reached a stage where the church wants to move forward. I understand that and we want to help them do that if we can.

"What is important is that we can demonstrate it represents value for money because we recognise we are spending public money."