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PLANNING ISSUES |
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This page updated February 2010 |
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PAVILION AND FERRY TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT |
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The Weymouth Civic Society formed an Action Group to challenge the excessive elements contained within the proposed development having regard to the already published views of the Society. We will use this page to report on all aspects of the proposals as well as our actions and responses. We feel it is important to give the people of Weymouth a factual account of developments and news as and when it happens. We shall enquire, probe and report and publish stories and pictures in the cause of transparency in the hope we can help people make up their minds about the future of the site. Apart from noting that the Society feels the plan proposed by Howard Holdings was excessive, we shall endeavour to be objective and report fully on matters as they arise. |
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PAVILION SITE - COUNCIL TO SEEK ALTERNATIVE FUNDING FROM THE GOVERNMENT’S SEASIDE FUND
While Weymouth agonizes over the redevelopment of the nine-acre Pavilion and Ferry Terminal site and, in particular the theatre which might be in darkness for three or four years, moves have been going on in the background to see if, after all, government funding might not be forthcoming to help with part of the ambitious regeneration plan.
The Weymouth Civic Society understands that two days of talks and presentations were held in early April between Borough council officials and an inspection “panel” which reports to the Council for Architecture and the Built Environment. CABE announced at the beginning of April it is leading a £45million investment in culture and the arts in some of the most run-down seaside towns in England. The programme, initiated by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will see £15million invested in the heritage and culture infrastructure in selected towns each year from 2008 to 2011.
CABE wants to hear from seaside towns which admit to suffering from neglect. The towns then have to prove they have projects eligible for government funding. Already Blackpool, Torbay and Dover are to receive £4million each for major schemes this year and there are further sums of between £200,000 and £1million earmarked for distribution to English resorts to help with smaller projects.
Could Weymouth and Portland be in line for a government handout if they qualify as neglected areas? The visit was seen by the council as an opportunity to put Weymouth forward as a seaside town worthy of consideration. A minibus was laid on for members of the party to visit areas such as Osprey Quay and the Pavilion site.
The visitors were particularly interested in what is planned in regard to the Olympics in 2012 and it was felt the Olympics might hold Weymouth in good stead for a funding application. Although the visit was generally considered to have been a success, nothing will happen immediately. It is a question of “wait and see” as to what kind of bid Weymouth might put in for funding.
According to CABE’s published guidelines, many of the town’s needs would qualify for help. Topping the list for funding are harbours, promenades, open spaces and constructing new buildings or converting existing ones for use as cultural centres. And of particular significance to Weymouth is the that fact theatres, concert halls, dance spaces and arts centres are seen as no less important in the regeneration mix.
Weymouth and Portland Borough Council have always claimed that the only way to refurbish the ailing Pavilion building, said to be costing the council £1million a year in upkeep, is to do a deal with a private developer. While redeveloping the site, the chosen developer Howard Holdings undertakes to refurbish the theatre and Ocean Room, though exactly when and how this might happen remains unclear. This is providing planning permission is given for the rest of the package, which includes 360 flats, a nine-storey landmark building and four star hotel, a 290 berth marina in the bay and the rebuilding of the harbour wall. April 2008
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See below for the regular monthly report of the Society’s Planning sub-committee. |
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Pavilion and Ferry Terminal Proposed Development– Council’s Press Release On the 16 September Borough Councillors were told that Europa capital has decided not to take up its option to step into the development agreed for the Pavilion/Ferry Terminal site. On the following morning the news was released to the Press. Councillor Legg, brief holder for Partnerships and Special Projects reported to the meeting that the proposals being put forward would have delivered only a small portion of what was expected for the site and would not have been in the best interests of the Borough and its residents. The council would now be considering the site from two viewpoints, firstly the use of the site during the Olympics and secondly the longer term development. Councillor Goodman, chairman of the Management Committee stressed that the site still has the potential to make a fantastic contribution to the regeneration of Weymouth and that the council would be looking for opportunities in the future.
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PLANS SUB-COMMITTEE NEWS February 2010
34-35 ST. MARY STREET Following objections from the Society and others to the proposed change of use from retail to restaurants/takeaway/bar/club (reported in January’s Sub-Committee News), the Borough Councillors have now voted to approve the planning application.
39 OLD CASTLE ROAD It has been reported that the Planning Inspectorate have issued an ‘unprecedented’ apology to the Borough Council for allowing an extension to a house next to Sandsfoot Castle Gardens, following the Council’s refusal of planning permission. This square black structure was opposed by Weymouth Civic Society at the time as overdevelopment, out of keeping with the adjacent buildings. The Chief Inspector has, we read, offered her ‘full and unreserved apology’ and described the decision as ‘regrettable’.
2 & 3 COURTAULD DRIVE The Council has received a planning application for the demolition of two houses in Courtauld Drive, a short residential cul-de-sac off Wyke Road, to be replaced by two buildings – one of four flats, and the other of four houses set back-to-back and side-to-side in a single block. The Society has objected to this proposal as overdevelopment, which would be alien to the character of the locality.
CYCLE ROUTES The public are being consulted on the proposed cycle network for the Borough and have been invited to suggest any additional routes. Several points have been put forward on behalf of the Society, including the need for an improved connection to Portland from the Ferrybridge end of the Rodwell Trail, and a link from the Preston Beach Road cycleway towards the ‘Lodmoor’ pub. Also included are the need for standard surfacing throughout, and the importance of signposting and/or surface route markings.
GREENHILL GARDENS CHALETS We wrote to English Heritage to welcome their interest in the future of the chalets and gardens at Greenhill, and to express our concern for the future of the chalets and the risk of enlargement of them for overnight accommodation, and overdevelopment generally. English Heritage have responded very positively, in a letter which they also copied to the Borough Council, sharing our concern, stressing the importance of their special historic and architectural interest, and encouraging the Society to make constructive input into the process of planning for the future of the chalets.
HMOs We have learned that the government has responded to the growing concern about ‘Houses of Multiple Occupation’ – which it seems are a particular problem in seaside resorts. They now intend to provide new powers to local authorities, so that planning permission will be required for HMOs of 3 or more tenants – the previous number was six.
LOCAL LIST OF BUILDINGS OF ARCHITECTURAL OR HISTORIC INTEREST The Society has in recent years expressed a hope that there could be a Local List of buildings of architectural or historic interest. While statutorily listed buildings receive enhanced protection from unsuitable development or demolition, the government seems reluctant to list buildings dating from later than about 1840. There are many fine buildings from later periods including in particular Victorian and Edwardian properties, which therefore receive no special protection. We hope to approach the Council further with a view to sounding out the idea of a Local List for Weymouth. The buildings would not be statutorily protected, but we believe that their place on the local list would be taken into account in planning decisions.
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