REDEVELOPMENT of a historic Weymouth pub ‘is the only way forward’ it has been stressed – as a campaign grows to try and save the building.

Fresh plans have been put forward to replace the Ferrybridge Inn at Wyke Regis with a homes and restaurant complex.

The company behind the proposals says redevelopment of the ‘gateway’ site is the only option, as the pub is in a poor condition.

As reported in the Echo, a campaign has been launched to save the community pub from the bulldozers. Now a 640-strong petition has been handed in, while more than 100 people have written letters of objection.

Site owners Ferrybridge Developments LLP – which is linked to the Ilchester Estates – is trying again to build on the site after a plan was thrown out by the borough council two years ago amid concerns about design and size. It was subsequently dismissed at appeal.

Morgan Carey Architects have been appointed and taken a ‘lighter touch’ approach to design which is more sympathetic and addresses previous concerns.

Two outline applications have been submitted – one proposing 22 flats and houses and a larger scheme of 29 residential units together with a pub/restaurant.

Stewart Drummond of Ferrybridge Developments LLP said: “The fabric of the existing building is in very poor condition.

“Despite our and our tenants’ best efforts, it is not economically viable to maintain the property, although the owners continue to support the pub to keep it open for the community for as long as possible.

“Nevertheless, for many years now, redevelopment has been the only way forward.”

He added: “Our preference is to reinstate a pub/restaurant on the site if this is acceptable to the council.”

The architects said that the bar/restaurant would be housed within a pavilion building to the south.

They said it would provide a ‘clear architectural landmark’.

Allowing development on the site would affect the route of the controversial Western Relief Route between Ferrybridge and Chickerell.

The route has been withdrawn by local authorities from development plans but is still supported by many in the community, including businesses on Portland, as it provides a bypass to congested Wyke.

In a letter to the borough council, Weymouth Civic Society says the plans are an improvement on previous proposals, but ‘impinge’ on the route of the relief road. It says the path of the route must be safeguarded.

People have until Thursday, December 4 to submit comments before the applications are considered by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

640-strong petition in bid to save building

CAMPAIGNERS have handed in a 640-signature petition calling for the pub to be saved.

Pub customer Ken Porter handed in the petition to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council against the plans to turn the pub into flats. Together with this were 170 letters of objection calling for the pub to be saved.

Mr Porter said: “The pub’s been there for 150 years. It’s a very old building that deserves to be saved and we are running out of pubs in the area. It’s really becoming a focal point for the community.”

He added: “It’s part and parcel of the planning application to knock it down and build a block of flats.

“That’s what the 170 letters object to. They are objecting to the whole concept of knocking the pub down and making flats.

“The hope is the petition puts pressure on the council to take us seriously and support the campaign to keep the pub.”