North Quay owners Acorn South expect a decision on North Quay application by December 13 - but David James Architects drawings are not connected to proposed development

The new owners of former council offices at North Quay in Weymouth hope that a decision will be made on a planning notification by December 13.

It comes as artists’ impressions of a development on the site were widely circulated on Facebook – but a spokesman for Acorn South, which bought the site for £4.5m, said these are not up-to-date sketches and are not linked to their own plans.

The deadline for comments on the planning application, submitted in October, has now passed but 90 residents and groups have had their say.

The application, known as prior notification, does not reveal full details of what developers want to do with the site, but requests approval for a change of use, from offices to residential. The decision will be delegated to a planning officer rather than be discussed by the planning committee.

The Environment Agency and Public Health confirmed they have no objections to the application for 56 self-contained flats. A more detailed application will be submitted in the new year, it is believed.

Dorset County Councils highways team has asked for an extension on the deadline to submit comments.

Weymouth Civic Society has objected to the plans ‘in the strongest terms’. In a representation Pru Bollam, chairman of the society’s planning committee, said the matter should be discussed and decided by the borough council’s planning committee, rather than delegated.

She added: “We are deeply disappointed at these proposals. This is a site which should be enhanced, and for which a well thought out scheme has been approved by the council, which reinstates the line of the old High Street and restores the original historic character of Old Weymouth.”

A number of Weymouth residents also objected to proposals to change the use of the building, arguing that the structure should be demolished.

Regarding the sketches which surfaced on social media this weekend, a spokesman for Acorn South said: “These are by someone who did feasibility sketches for a failed bidder. Our MD has contacted them to ask them to take it down. 

“We are hoping to have a decision on the current application by December 13.”

The Acorn South website has been updated to read that apartments at North Quay are ‘coming soon’ and will boast ‘uninterrupted views over Weymouth Marina’. Those interested in purchasing one of the apartments can register their interest.

The sketches appeared on the website of David James Architects and Partners Ltd. Mr James confirmed that the sketches were created as a concept design for a bidder who had hoped to purchase the site and do not reflect what the owners want to do with the building.

North Quay development is 'just the start of regeneration' for Weymouth

CLLR James Farquharson, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council briefholder for economic development, said redevelopment at North Quay could be just the start of a regenerated town centre for Weymouth.

Cllr Farquharson said he understands many residents ‘loathe’ the North Quay building and may prefer a return to the way the area used to look.

But he added: “The old high street has gone, it’s no longer there. This is an opportunity to be open-minded and think about where we want the town to go. There are things happening at the peninsula and on Commercial Road. Within five to ten years the town centre is going to be quite radically different. This is a chance to generate the positive cultural and social changes everyone wants to see.”

He said he favoured a ‘modern architecture’ look which makes the most of the site’s proximity to the water, using environmentally-friendly designs.

“I would like to see, for the first time ever in Weymouth, good, modern architecture. I respect that some people might like to see something more traditional but we do need to make a break from the past. This is a chance to embrace change.”

A spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council said: "Concerning the North Quay site, we think it is important to explain that the notification currently lodged with the council is not a planning application and is not asking for the council’s permission to change the use of North Quay to residential. 

"It is a “Prior Notification”, which is not the same as a planning application. Planning legislation allows the change of use of a building from use as an office to use for residential purposes. This application is merely seeking the council’s view as to whether  legally the proposal fits within this rule or not. That is a technical question which the council’s officers are currently considering. Views as to whether or not such a change is desirable could not be considered as part of this technical decision."