DORSET Council's £17m funding bid to regenerate iconic Weymouth sites has been rejected by the government.

The authority says it is 'disappointed' the bid was unsuccessful - but insisted it was continuing to pursue other funding routes for projects.

The £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund from the government aims to contribute to its levelling up agenda by investing in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centre and high streets, upgrading local transport, and investing in cultural and heritage assets.

Dorset Council submitted funding bids for a series of projects chosen following recommendations made in a public consultation.

The projects included the regeneration of Weymouth Harbourside, focusing on Brewers Quay, North Quay and the Peninsula, the creation of an Aquaculture Innovation Centre, and the extension of the facilities available to Dorset Innovation Park users, including waterfront access on Portland.

The council proposed a new 80-metre pedestrian and cycling bridge be built alongside the Swannery Bridge to connect to existing pedestrian and cycle paths either side of Radipole Lake which would connect the Rodwell Trail and routes to the train station and the Esplanade at Jubilee Clock.

Funding was also to be sought to create a digital media hub at Weymouth College by building a new facility on the Cranford Avenue site.

Dorset Echo: Brewers Quay is crumblingBrewers Quay is crumbling (Image: Dorset Echo)

It was also hoped to invest money in the Weymouth Train Station Access Project, with work due to start on Monday, November 22. The transformation will see a new crossing at the train station which is hoped will improve connectivity, enhance the pedestrian and cycle network and improve accessibility to the town.

The projects selected to receive funding for the first round of the Levelling Up Fund were announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the 2021 Spending Review - where it was revealed that Dorset Council's bid was unsuccessful. Out of 305 bids for funding, 105 were successful in the UK.

A spokesman for Dorset Council said: “We are very disappointed not to have been successful in our bids to the levelling up fund, which seems to have favoured more urban areas. Our bids were robust and highlighted the great need and opportunity for investment in Weymouth and Portland. We will be looking to resubmit bids in any future rounds that are made available and will take on board the feedback we have already received.

“We have been successful in achieving funding from elsewhere to progress our plans for the Aquaculture Innovation Centre and we are actively pursuing a variety of other funding routes for the other projects. Richard Drax MP has been very supportive of our efforts and we know he will continue to assist, going forwards.”

A feedback session from central government will be offered to unsuccessful places to support applications into further rounds of the Fund. Round two will open in Spring 2022.