New town council offices being planned for Dorchester town council at the rear of the Municipal Buildings will not have disabled access to the first floor.

Town policy chairman councillor Susie Hosford says there is no need because both the public and any staff with mobility difficulties will be able to fully access the ground floor.

In response to a public question from Conservative Peter Stein she said the position for visitors would be much improved compared to the existing North Square offices where disabled visitors had to ring a bell and wait outside on the pavement for staff to come and help them up the outside step.

The town council is hoping to build new offices on the rear of the Municipal Building as part of the current revamp of the complex, selling off the existing offices further down the Square to help meet the cost.

Some town councillors have called for the town offices to be used for affordable housing, if possible, but were told on Monday evening that the space would be difficult to convert to flats and to even find out if it was feasible could cost £10,000 in fees.

Cllr Hosford confirmed there had not been any discussions with Dorset Council about taking over any of the buildings, or parts of the buildings, it was planning to vacate in the town, including South Walks House.

Mr Stein had suggested that the option ought to be looked at before the town council committed to the cost of new offices.

Work on the new offices, if granted planning consent, is not likely to start until at least the autumn with the main works on the Municipal Buildings expected to be completed by the end of August when Dorchester Arts will take over the management of the complex.

Dorchester Town Council is still waiting for a decision from Dorset Council on the new offices before finally deciding on the disposal of the existing building, which was previously a house.