Pavilion plan wins the day

They voted 27-8 for the revised scheme for a large-scale development on Weymouth's dilapidated harbour gateway to make it more economically viable.

This includes a move to raise the height of the main building from six to eight storeys in parts and increase the marina size from 150 to 290 berths.

The development brief that won support last night will form the basis of a planning application, which will be submitted after an exhibition is held next month. Work on the project could begin by the end of the year.

Around 300 people packed into the Pavilion for the special meeting of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, with most of the audience against the new brief.

A petition containing 7,500 names calling for a public inquiry into the scheme was presented to the council and more than 20 members of the public chose to speak before councillors began their discussions.

Attempts by some councillors to try and reduce the scale of the development were rejected.

Coun John Birtwistle said: "What is presented to us is a vision but to me it's a cross between a pipe-dream and a nightmare.

"We are told it will reposition Weymouth but the day when someone chooses Weymouth over Dubai for luxury shopping is a long way away.

But members of the public spoke out in favour of the scheme.

Guesthouse owner Ray Cousins said: "Weymouth is going to hell in a handcart. The economic situation is on a downward spiral and it will not improve unless significant changes are made. There's a show in town and it's called Howard Holdings, like it or not."

Weymouth's Punch and Judy man Mark Poulton described the development as a 'unique and fantastic opportunity' leading to an increase in visitors and jobs.

Toughest decision is made at last

THE atmosphere in the theatre stalls at first appeared as threatening as the dark clouds that hung over the Weymouth Pavilion complex.

With the majority of the audience against the new development brief for the Pavilion and ferry terminal site, it was clear there may be a repetition of scenes that have dominated every council meeting debating the issue.

On hearing heckles from the audience when people spoke in favour, Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Tim Munro pleaded for calm - and he got it, just about.

Almost three years after the Pavilion debate began, Weymouth and Portland councillors found themselves yesterday faced with a recommendation to back a new brief for the site which envisages a larger scale development to make it more economically viable.

This includes a move to raise the main building from six to eight storeys in parts to provide 337 apartments and increasing the marina size from 150 to 290 berths.

Officers had already warned that failure to back the proposals could jeopardise any future development and leave the operation of the theatre in the balance.

Some councillors initially opposed to the new brief spoke of how they had wrestled' with the issues and concluded it was the only way forward.

The debate could have gone on for longer but with well over three hours past, Coun Geoff Petherick proposed the recommendation should be put to members. It was carried by 27-8 votes.

Amendments to scale down the size of the marina to 250 berths proposed by Coun Howard Legg and to reduce the size of the building to six storeys proposed by Coun Brendan Webster were both rejected by 26-9 votes.

Later, a reluctant Coun Webster told councillors: "We've lost the opportunity to stick with the previous development brief and are left with a choice that says do nothing or have eight storeys. For that reason I'm going to have to go with eight storeys."

Coun Doug Hollings said although residents' views must be heard, the opinions and expert knowledge offered by officers, consultants' reports and the statutory consultees must be taken into account.

He said: "We've reached the stage where we have to proceed. The theatre is 51 years old and showing its age. As a community we can't stand still. We must reposition Weymouth as a premier resort."

Coun Ian James challenged councillors, saying: "We have to take a big step. We can't cross a chasm in two small jumps."

But Coun John Birtwistle said: "What is presented to us is a vision but to me it's a cross between a pipe-dream and a nightmare. We're told it will reposition Weymouth but the day when someone chooses Weymouth over Dubai for luxury shopping is a long way away.

"I don't believe it's the only way forward and I don't think the alternatives have been properly investigated."

Before the recommendation was debated there was a lengthy public speaking session - kick-started by the presentation to councillors of a 7,500 name petition calling for a public inquiry.

Among the 10 speakers speaking in favour of the redevelopment was Andy Cooke who said: "I don't represent a group - I'm here for my grandchildren because I want to see a good future for them. Weymouth needs this regeneration."

Chris Reay, speaking on behalf of some hoteliers, welcomed a four star hotel, adding: "Opponents seem to have a not in my backyard' mentality about this scheme. They're not thinking of the future."

Guesthouse owner Ray Cousins said: "Weymouth is going to hell in a handcart. The economic situation is on a downward spiral and it will not improve unless significant changes are made. There's a show in town and it's called Howard Holdings, like it or not."

Weymouth's Punch and Judy man Mark Poulton described the development as a unique and fantastic opportunity' leading to an increase in visitors and jobs.

Derek Julian, among 11 people speaking against, urged councillors to 'show courage' and vote against the 'monstrous' scheme.

He claimed councillors had been 'bullied' into thinking the current option was the only one on the table.

Sue Siddell cited other developments in the country experiencing problems, adding: "This country faces several years of financial turmoil. It's going to get worse before it gets better, yet we are going to be plunged into the unknown."

Iain Campbell said: "Many councillors seem to take the view that every time we have a public consultation and the majority who make their views known are against proposals, that these views can be ignored."

David Beaman from the Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism said a poll of members on the group's opposition to eight storeys and a larger marina was 29 in favour and 14 against. Thirty five per cent of members voted in the poll.

After the meeting, Weymouth Civic Society President Pru Bollam said: "The council has not only ignored its own decision to go for a smaller project but has also made a mockery of the plans for the site included in the Local Plan. The council has repeatedly stressed the importance of public responses to this project but in practice has totally ignored the depth of feeling against the scheme."

Voting for the recommendation: Councillors Roger Allen, Amanda Alsop, Simon Bowkett, Hazel Bruce, Sonia Cash, Peter Chapman, Robbie Dunster, Peter Farrell, Michael Goodman, David Hawkins, Doug Hollings, Christine James, Ian James, Anne Kenwood, Paul Kimber, Richard Kosior, Howard Legg, Margaret Leicester, Grant Leighton, Tim Munro, John Nash, Pamela Nixon, Peter O'Neill, Geoff Petherick, Alison Scott, Brendan Webster, Jean Woodward.

Against: Councillors John Birtwistle, David Mannings, Ian Roebuck, Joy Stanley, Gill Taylor, Mark Tewkesbury, Bill White, Graham Winter.