NORTH Wiltshire District Council threw open the doors of its controversial new office premises in Monkton Park, Chippenham.

Staff and equipment were transferred to the new environmentally-friendly building over a weekend, bringing all the district council departments under one roof.

District council leader Coun David Packham said that after months of hard work the district council was looking forward to a positive future.

"The foundations are there. Everything is in place, and the council can move forward," he said.

However, dissenting voices have raised concerns about the cost of the new facility to the council tax payer.