RESIDENTS yet to give their views on the Pavilion peninsula redevelopment are urged to take part in a survey after a council's public engagement received a mixed response.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council thanked members of the community who gave their views about the proposals at engagement sessions earlier this week.

Read our previous story about the event

Initial ideas for the landmark (artist's impression below) site in Weymouth were unveiled to more than 200 residents and businesses.

Dorset Echo:

The council said all-weather attractions, new walkways and harbour improvements were among the most popular proposals however, hoteliers and members of the public expressed opposition to plans with some demanding the council 'go back to the drawing board.'

The project is part of plans to transform Weymouth and Portland into a year-round destination and provide more leisure facilities for residents.

Proposals included under-cover leisure attractions, car parking, restaurants, a ‘boutique’ hotel and a larger mid-range hotel and improved harbour and marine facilities.

During the consultation, concerns were raised about loss of parking spaces, traffic congestion and the effect the development would have on existing hotels and restaurants.

Speaking after the events, Cllr Jeff Cant, leader of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council personally thanked who attended and said he was 'delighted' to see so many people come along.

Cllr Cant said the council had made a conscious decision to create 'legacy sites' which would raise the town's game as an all year-round destination.

“It’s clear that we are all equally committed to the development of the iconic peninsula site and the future of the borough," he said.

He added the development would improve the borough's reputation as a top coastal tourist resort which was crucial for the prosperity of the community and local economy.

A spokesman for the council said they will now consider the views expressed at the events and online survey before submitting an outline planning application to establish 'principles of development on the site.'

They added the outline planning application would focus on the scale and size of the development and the exact type of attractions had yet to be decided.

"If the planning committee approves the outline plan, we would draw up a more detailed scheme. We will use comments and suggestions from the current engagement exercise to develop the final designs," the spokesman said.

Cllr Cant added: “With such a large and complex project we won’t be able to deliver everything everyone wants. But we are committed to consider all suggestions before we submit an outline planning application.

"I encourage anyone who was unable to visit the exhibition to catch up with the plans at Weymouth library or online and fill in our survey."

The exhibition will be on display at Weymouth library until Friday, March 30 and the online survey will be available until April 6 at dorsetforyou.gov.uk/weymouth-peninsula