More details on how Weymouth 'levelling up' money will be spent
Dorset Council's been given £19.5 million from the Government
Last updated 25th Jan 2023
Weymouth’s £19.5 million levelling up money will help the town “turn the corner”, according to one councillor.
Cllr Tony Ferrari said:
“This funding is great news for Weymouth and shows that it is not a forgotten town. Our bid was ambitious and robust and our continuous lobbying to the government has paid off.”
The successful waterside regeneration bid focuses on three sites, the Peninsula, North Quay, and the town centre.
Cllr Ferrari told us the money will go towards “essential infrastructure” on North Quay and the Peninsula, he said:
“If you look at the Peninsula, there’s not enough electrical grid power there, there’s not enough sewerage there and there’s not enough fresh water there so we’re going to have to put in all of these infrastructure services to make them proper buildable sites.”
In anticipation of the announcement, officials have already completed a revised planning application to demolish North Quay and plan to submit the proposal as early as February.
The decision to demolish North Quay and restore the site has been praised by members of the public. One resident said: “It’s been a white elephant for the town for years so Weymouth needs to develop it.”
Another added: “For tourists coming off the bus routes, the first thing they see in Weymouth is Brewers Quay so it would be nice if it did look a little bit less run down.”
Cllr Ferrari believes that repairing the Peninsula and revamping North Quay will attract private sector investment and in turn that will lead to new homes being built, increased employment and a more prosperous town.
He said: “A lot of buildings have been left behind and they're not delivering economically for the town. The buildings are in great locations so we should be doing something fantastic with them, but nothing has been done.
”What we're going to do is put in buildings that will generate economic activity, so we'll bring more business and more jobs to the centre of town.”
These locations a set to be entertainment hubs, filled with homes, hotels, restaurants and leisurely activities.
Residential and commercial investors will likely boost the local economy, Cllr Ferrari is confident of his vision: “the people who work or live in the new buildings will shop in the town, so it will be positive for everyone.”
Residents of Weymouth also seem to back the idea, one said: “if businesses set up and it encourages employment then employment obviously benefits everybody.”
A second added: “If it's spent on things that generate cash and jobs, it's worth doing. But, as long as it's not done solely for the rich and they do something that everyone could benefit from then yeah it’s a good idea.”
Another suggested: “What Weymouth needs is an activity for days when it's raining where holidaymakers have got something to do this would bring more revenue and create jobs for people.”
Cllr Ferrari told us: “We can now deliver transformational change by repurposing the high street and expanding leisure and recreational facilities in the town, which we know is important to local people."