A Government minister said Weymouth and Portland is in a ‘unique’ position as civic chiefs push for government funding to regenerate the resort.

Officials are hoping the visit by Jake Berry, Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, will lead to a successful outcome for the borough which needs a vital financial boost.

The minister met yesterday with South Dorset MP Richard Drax, Cllr Jeff Cant, Leader of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, and senior council officials, to explore regeneration plans for the borough.

During his visit Mr Berry received a presentation outlining the ‘ambitious’ regeneration programme and visited key sites for development in the resort - harbour walls which are in poor condition, Westham Bridge and along the harbourside – where there are flood risks – and the Weymouth peninsula.

He also attended an event at the Pavilion, attended by more than 30 leading local businesses, which discussed the council’s transformation plans for the borough and how Government support would greatly improve the regeneration of transport, infrastructure, jobs, housing, and training.

“It was a great experience to visit Weymouth to see and hear first-hand, the ambitions that the local authority and local business leaders hold for the borough. It’s clear that regeneration is very much a focus for all involved and that this shared vision would breathe new life into the borough’s coastal towns and economy,” he said.

Dorset Echo:

From left, Jake Berry (minister), Richard Drax MP, Cllr Jeff Cant and Cllr Richard Nickinson

Mr Berry met with Mr Drax and Cllr Cant in London in March to hear the case for a grant from the Coastal Communities Fund.

The fifth Coastal Communities funding round opened in February and will grant a total of £40 million for spending between April next year and March 2021.

Mr Berry said the resort was in a strong position in its bid for funding. “It’s a fantastic location to live but I think what is unique - or at least unusual about Weymouth compared to many other areas is that the local authority, MP, LEP have all set out to come together to deliver their plans and develop the local economy. It’s certainly much further advanced than other areas I’ve seen,” he said.

Mr Berry added the Coastal Communities Fund aimed to streamline funding to local areas.

“Rather than going to all the different Government departments for funding, we are asking them to come up with one plan - one holistic package,” he said.

He added his visit was the ‘start of the conversation’ and the next step is to talk to government colleagues across various departments to establish how they could support Weymouth.

Mr Drax, said up until now, the resort had been ‘overlooked’.

He added although tourism was important in Weymouth, the town needed to become a ‘vibrant seaside town’ which was not reliant on the beach front.

“Securing the regeneration of the area is of paramount importance. We are exploring with the Government how best they can support regeneration through provision of funding to help us realise our shared vision for the borough. Commitment of support from the Government to work with us, will greatly boost our progress to realise this vision,” Mr Drax said.

'Weymouth has been stuck in 1950s time warp'

Cllr Jeff Cant said Government funding would help ‘transform’ the council.

“For 30 years the council have sat on their hands and done nothing to move Weymouth forward and the town has been stuck in a 1950s time warp,” he said. “Since 2015 we’ve been bringing in a radical transformation plan. And three of the five parts of that are on the runway and another is underway - we are pleased to have got that far.

“We could try and do complete our plans on our own but this funding would greatly work to our advantage.”

Cllr Cant added as a direct result of Mr Drax’s meeting with ‘senior levels of Parliament’, the resort was at the ‘front of the queue’ for the funding.

He added the plan was to co-ordinate funding across the council, putting a single case forward and securing funding would be a ‘huge leap forward’.

“Within a decade the town will be transformed,” he said. “There will be better employment, more sustainable employment and a better town centre. We are laying down a legacy to dramatically change the way the town feels for the future.

“We’re delighted to welcome the Minister here to showcase the vision that we have for the borough of Weymouth and Portland.

“This event offered a rare opportunity for local business leaders to engage directly with the Minister, to develop his understanding of our collective ambition and our potential as a borough. It gave us an opportunity to highlight our ambitious programme of regeneration, and the ways in which support from Government could speed up the delivery and transform the town and lives of the community.”