I am writing to add my voice to the chorus of those opposing the council’s plans for the Peninsula.

I do so as someone who is about to retire after 40 years’ experience in the property industry and 10 years in hospitality where I have won numerous awards for my hotel and pub businesses.

Constructing this poorly thought-through scheme would drain trade from existing businesses, particularly hotels, expose the council and the new authority to undue financial risk, and blight this most prominent site and the town for generations.

More critically, its construction and poor design would squander a once in a lifetime opportunity for a more substantive development that could meaningfully address the town’s significant economic needs.

How can the council expect to foster the aspirations of its young people when it displays such a lack of aspiration for itself? I am particularly dismayed by the comments attributed to Cllr Jeff Cant regarding the potential for residential development on the site as ‘being occupied by people outside the borough and very likely not be lived in permanently’?

I bought my flat overlooking the harbour in 2001, ultimately for my retirement having visited Weymouth for 40 years. I and my family use the flat regularly throughout the year frequenting local pubs and restaurants when we are here.

Once retired in August, I intend to spend the majority of my time in Weymouth. How has my purchase of the flat, and payment of the top band council tax, been harmful to the community?

The very potential for Weymouth is that it is attractive to those like me. The essential problem of the local economy is that there is not enough disposable income for the town centre to thrive.

A more sensible policy would be to use the development of the Peninsula to attract new residents and spending power to the town while working to raise the incomes for residents by improving access to more and higher value jobs.

I was one of many who applauded the council’s initiative over the marina many years ago but now fear we need a WAM campaign. Weymouth Against Mediocrity!

David Selves
Quayside Court, Commercial Road, Weymouth