I AM writing to express my strong misgivings at the news that a huge development is once again being promoted for the Pavilion peninsula (pleasure pier). This has been reported to the Echo as a great opportunity to save the theatre – it seems that its refurbishment would be funded out of profits from the scheme (when would those profits materialise?) However, the proposals as described sound like a resurrection of the original Howard Holdings plans, which caused an upsurge of opposition among the people of Weymouth Three hundred residential units are again reportedly envisaged, plus a 120-bed hotel, shops and offices, as well as a new ferry terminal, all on the one area of reclaimed land behind the Pavilion Theatre, as well as a 300 berth marina built out across the bay. In order to squeeze all that amount of development on to this limited site, Howard Holdings planned to build up to nine storeys above ground level in a vast block of buildings, with more blocks rising up to five storeys above ground level lining the side of the peninsula and in the centre of the site.

Now that the council’s hands are no longer tied by the close links which had been created with Howard Holdings, let us hope they will take the opportunity to re-think the whole basis of developing this important site, and avoid the risk of irreparably harming the beauty of Weymouth Bay by any unsuitable development.

Brenda Pickett, Roman Road, Weymouth