Resort set to bid for share of £45m fund

7:50pm Monday 28th April 2008

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WEYMOUTH and Portland could be entitled to a slice of a £45 million Sea Change fund for the regeneration of seaside towns.

The fund was launched recently and is being run by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).

Among areas the cash is designed to help with are improvements for theatres and harbours.

Weymouth and Portland principal planning officer Karyn Punchard said the council was interested in the fund.

She added: "The fund has only recently been announced and we don't know yet what we might be entitled to. We are very pleased that the fund is there and we would hope that we might get a slice of it, but it depends what the requirements are for us to qualify.

"We are waiting to get more information so that we can put forward the best case possible for Weymouth and Portland.

"There are likely to be restrictions on what any monetary award can be used for so, until we know what areas are being looked at for support, we won't know where we can make a bid to get any money."

Pru Bollam, Weymouth Civic Society's president, welcomed possible help from the fund, saying: "We had heard that the council was looking to try and get support from the CABE.

"We hope that if Weymouth and Portland is entitled to any money from the fund that it could be used towards the regeneration of Weymouth Pavilion.

"We know that theatres are an area that the fund looks on favourably and we hope that this will strengthen Wey-mouth and Portland's case to be entitled for an award."

CABE said that schemes which might attract fund support include arts projects which provide new opportunities for local communities and visitors, projects which improve the quality and experience of the historic environment and natural, built environment and open space projects.

Grants could range from £200,000 up to £1 million and the deadline for grant applications is June 30.

CABE chairman Sir John Sorrell said: "CABE believes that investment in design and culture can trigger the regeneration that England's much-loved seaside resorts need.

"We want to see exciting and innovative projects which build on the strong identity these towns enjoy and give them the best opportunity to recapture their original flair.

"Sea Change will be a catalyst for a brighter future through well-designed buildings, spaces and places."