The Weymouth and Portland Town Centre Masterplan (TCMP)i is about to be voted on by the Full Council on 4th June and yet, how many people are fully aware of it's importance in shaping council planning policy for the next 10-20 years.?

The number of written responses to the proposals has been less than 100 and even the on-line comments, managed by the Weyforward group, equated to less than 1% of the population.

True, some public consultations have taken place during the day at different locations. That would be fine if a) they were widely publicised, b) in the early evening so working people could attend or c) closer to sites that are directly affected by the Masterplan. It is disrespectful for example, not to take the plans directly to the retirement flats at Swannery Court on Commercial Road, to tell the residents in person that a huge arts/ theatre complex is proposed to be built on their doorstep. Maybe their protests of disturbances every evening would not have been welcome.

This "cultural centre" proposal would also result in the loss of The Palm House, an Edwardian glasshouse that also serves as a local cafe, play centre, craft studio, retail space for crafters and artists and function room for language, community and support groups.

To quote WPBC Briefholder for Economic Development Cllr Ray Nowak in February: “We want to do anything we can to help support businesses across Weymouth and Portland. Successful businesses will help make a stronger local economy and create more job opportunities.†Well said Mr Novak, so don't destroy the Palm House.

Far better to build the theatre complex alongside the Pavilion with decks and terraces overlooking our magnificent Bay, then demolish the Pavilion when it is complete.

And as for The Swannery Lake part of the Masterplan? My idea would be to put the Palm House back in a parkland setting and create a young children's play park around it with a small outdoor children's theatre on the edge of the lake, a splash park, small scale play equipment, improved landscaping and bring the rowing boats back to the lake. This would create a vibrant, attractive feature to draw in young families to Weymouth and serve the local community all year round - with the Palm House at it's heart. We have drawn up plans for such a park which are on display in the Palm House.

The TCMP is a step in the right direction but let it not trample on the successful parts of Weymouth in the process.

Nigel Sims-Duff BSc MA

Chartered Landscape Architect

The Palm House

Commercial Road,

Weymouth