Former council offices in Wimborne up for sale
Dorset Council's put the Furzehill site on the market
The former East Dorset District Council offices in Wimborne have gone up for sale - five years after they were vacated.
The site at Furzehill became 'surplus to requirements' when Dorset Council took over as a unitary authority in 2019, and became owners of the buildings.
They've now been put on the market, as Dorset Council's made it a 'priority to sell'.
But the cash generated won't go into local services though, as it's being sold to 'generate capital receipts'.
That means the funds can be spent on other capital expenditure - like buildings and equipment - or to pay off debts.
Cllr Andrew Parry, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Assets and Property, said:
“I am pleased we are finally able to market the Furzehill site. At a time when council budgets are stretched, it is vitally important that we explore all options for our property portfolio and sell what we do not need, to get the best value for money for our residents.
“Coupled with the current demolition of the former Weymouth and Portland Borough Council offices, renting our South Walks House building in Dorchester to NHS colleagues, and continuing discussions around other vacant buildings in Weymouth, Sherborne and Bridport, I hope people can see that we’re working hard to dispose of these old unused assets and help reduce further financial burden on Dorset’s Taxpayers.
“I look forward to seeing the tenders made for the Furzehill site over the coming months. It is a fantastic opportunity, and I want to thank officers in the Dorset Council Assets and Property team as well as our colleagues at Avison Young for their hard work thus far.”
The Furzehill site is 2.73 hectares (6.76 acres) and was allocated for residential development in the Christchurch and East Dorset Local Plan back in 2014.
The site contains Woodleaze Copse, which isn't big enough to be considered on any Ancient Woodland Register, but also isn't suitable for development.