Weymouth regeneration plans reach next step
Dorset Council's agreed how the project will now progress
A multi-million project to regenerate part of Weymouth's town centre has reached its next steps, after getting approval from Dorset Council.
The authority got £19.5 million from the Government's Levelling Up fund last January towards work in the Waterside area.
The latest recommendations include starting a procurement process to find developers for the North Quay and Weymouth Bowl sites.
That would mean Dorset Council would 'retain a considerable degree of control over the design and quality of any future build'.
Former Council offices at North Quay are currently being demolished, with planning permission needed to knock down the bowling alley on St Nicholas Street. |newtab)
It's been decided that North Quay will become a temporary car park, until any new development plans are agreed.
That's expected to be ready for use by the Easter holidays.
The Weymouth Bowl is likely to become housing.
Cllr Simon Gibson, Portfolio Holder for Levelling Up, said:
“The decisions made by Cabinet today mark an important and exciting step for the council’s Levelling Up project and for Weymouth’s long-term regeneration.
“We will carry out a robust procurement process and find the right development partner to develop North Quay - and subject to any planning application be approved, the old bowling alley site will provide high-quality developments for the town. This will showcase North Quay, prepare the way for later LUF developments around the peninsula and put Weymouth on the map as a regeneration location.”
Councillors also agreed to adopt a 'vision' for the Harbour and Peninsula areas of Weymouth.
That was commissioned by Dorset Council, and created by Professor Tony Bovaird, to set out its ambitions, in consultation with stakeholders.
The report divides regeneration activity into short, medium and long-term options.
Councillors agreed that the short and medium-term options are taken forward for progression, and the long-term options outlined in the report to be revisited at a later date.
No further details about those plans have been revealed at this stage.
It's expected the project would boost Weymouth's economy by around £66 million, and create around 600 construction jobs, as well as 220 longer term jobs afterwards.