The £6 million seafront race (From Dorset Echo)

The £6 million seafront race

9:15am Tuesday 28th August 2007

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THE race is on to submit a £6 million bid for funding to support the regeneration of Weymouth's historic seafront.

Weymouth and Portland councillors are being asked to back a proposal to the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) to fund the first stage of Esplanade improvements.

The borough council is also preparing to sell the Pier Bandstand, the Bond Street toilets and an area of land near Marks & Spencer to generate cash for the project.

In a report to next Tuesday's management committee, the council's conservation officer Colin Ellis says time is of the essence and it is crucial the September deadline is met.

He says the SWRDA bid, representing half of the overall cost of the project, must be submitted next month to demonstrate the council's commitment and to ensure work can start soon.

At the heart of the bid is the development of a new paved square around the George III statue which could be completed by 2009.

Mr Ellis says: "It is important that the bid is submitted now so that it reaches the relevant SWRDA panel meetings which consider such bids and which only meets on an intermittent basis.

"Therefore if the September deadline is missed it will be a considerable number of months before any application can be subsequently considered."

Mr Ellis admits not all of the regeneration proposals will be supported by SWRDA but he says it is important that a long list is put forward for consideration. Implementing some of the schemes could act as a catalyst for additional investment.

He adds that the three sites to be sold will help provide capital funding for a new tourist information centre and beach rescue building on the old aquarium site.

Mr Ellis explains the council has approved a spending programme which requires £1.5 million of capital receipts to be generated each year from the sale of assets, including the Pier Bandstand. If the target is not met the council will have to consider cutting the programme or borrowing money to finance it.

Mr Ellis says it is important the management committee supports this approach.

The regeneration plans will improve the whole layout and appearance of Weymouth seafront in time for the 2012 Olympics.

More than 200 people responded to a public consultation on the plans and gave them their overwhelming support.

Mr Ellis says in the report: "There will be significant benefits in improving the physical appearance and character of Weymouth's seafront derived from these proposals."

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