OBJECTORS demanded a scaling down of the Weymouth Pavilion redevelopment plans and vowed to fight any scheme for major works at the site.

Members of the public urged councillors to think again over the scheme at a full meeting of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council held last night.

The comments came after it was confirmed that the council was now demanding that developer Howard Holdings submit a planning application for the scheme.

Coun Howard Legg has also confirmed that the developer’s funding partner, Europa Capital, has an option to take over the redevelopment if it becomes ‘viable’ to do so.

Weymouth Civic Society’s Pru Bollam said there is now ‘serious doubt’ over the future of the scheme and that the original focus of the redevelopment had been the provision of a modern theatre and associated leisure facilities.

She added: “While the full terms of the financial agreement have never been made public, surely this is now the opportunity to reconsider the whole approach rather than just encouraging Europa to take it up.

“Is this not the time to recognise the excesses of the previous scheme?”

Hilary Sternberg, of the Our Weymouth protest group, said: “I would like to say how pleased I am that the council appears to be getting a grip on things, however belatedly, or at least that’s what they’d like us to think.

“The credit crunch has intervened and now it is virtually impossible to imagine any large-scale project being achieved on time.”

Mrs Sternberg said that campaigners would continue to press for a public inquiry over the proposals, which currently include a 290-berth marina, heritage centre and four-star hotel.

She added: “We will continue to object to this scheme on aesthetic, environmental and financial grounds.

“And if Europa Capital does step in to take over the redevelopment they can be assured that the campaign to secure a more appropriate and sympathetic development will continue.”

The Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, Coun Tim Munro, said questions from members of the public, including those about the Pavilion redevelopment, would be answered in writing after the meeting.