AFTER more than a year of rumours and speculation, East Hampshire District Council (EHDC)?has this week pledged to keep its headquarters at Penns Place in Petersfield for the "foreseeable future".

The council's traditional home is to be refurbished and unused office-space in the complex will be let to businesses – making the site, which has been home to EHDC since the 1970s, a cost-effective base of operations.

District council leader Ferris Cowper said the decision safeguards the "identity" of the council and protects customer access to services as well as raising income and helping the local economy.

For full story, see this week's Petersfield Herald.