by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The start button has been pressed for a multi-million pound investment designed to create jobs, housing and revitalise Weymouth.
Councillors claim the Weymouth 2040 project will reverse the decline which started for the wider area when the Portland dockyard was closed 30 years ago.
It should see developments at the Peninsula, North Quay, the former bowling site in the town centre, the Old Rectory and the West Marina.
Tourist attractions, a hotel, high end and affordable housing and cultural projects all feature in the plans along with a University campus for the town.
“We all know of the need to invest and boost our biggest town in Dorset. You only have to look at the Ridgeway to see people leaving for work in Dorchester and beyond,” said Cllr Richard Biggs, the Portfolio holder who has overseen the project.
But he warned that many of the projects have yet to go through the planning process where the detail could change.
“Regeneration is a marathon, not a sprint,” he said, claiming that the £26million investment in the town would have knock-on effects for the whole of the area.
Weymouth councillors, and others, welcomed the proposals which were given unanimous approval at Tuesday’s evening Cabinet meeting.
Littlemoor and Preston councillor Louie O’Leary said much of the success of the proposals were down to the late Weymouth councillor Tony Ferrari, who started forming the regeneration proposals.
“We used to complain about focus on the north and east of the county, now it’s the other way round – but if this council is to succeed we needs to look at whole county,” he said.
Portland councillor Paul Kimber, who lost his dockyard job in 1995, said the area had never got over the naval base closure, followed by the helicopter base two years later.
“There was criticism at the time for not taking up opportunities for the area. I wish there was a bit more for Portland (in this) but I have to look at the greater good. It will bring about jobs and opportunities for our youngsters, hopefully quality jobs,” he said.
Cllr Jon Orrell (Melcombe Regis) also welcome the proposals.
“It’s great to see them happening; for too long Weymouth had languished since the closure of the Navy base. We have had 20-30 years of decline and have seen a lot of development money being spent over in the east… this proposal will bring much needed investment in jobs and opportunities.
We have got to move forward to the 21st century but we must make sure the buildings are high quality and offer wet weather leisure facility for our residents and our visitors,” he said.
Rodwell and Wyke councillor Kate Wheller also welcomed the proposal although said she had “slight concerns” about the scale of the Peninsula development fearing it could detract from the Pavilion and Nothe Fort.
Said Weymouth councillor Ryan Hope, whose brief includes community engagement: “For too long Weymouth has been at a standstill … This administration is now delivering on what needed to be done. It is key for the whole of Dorset.”
The programme will be financed by £19.5M from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund with £5.8M from Dorset Council sources, totalling £25.8M).
The key proposals are to invite Hall & Woodhouse to submit proposals for a mixed use scheme of hotel, hospitality, leisure units, restaurants, and public realm improvements for the Peninsula.
The former council offices site at North Quay will be sold by tender with two local developers (Castletech Projects Ltd and Our Place/DJ Property) proposing a mixture of homes and commercial uses.
The Weymouth Bowl site will be used for a three-block scheme for residential and commercial uses, with a focus on affordable homes.
At the West Marina another mixed use development is planned with proposals in place to use The Rectory in the town centre as a cultural hub with galleries, performance space, visitor centre, café, and accommodation units.
Also in the plans are a Dorset Allied Health Professional University campus with an initial proposal for dental training and a longer term vision for other health professionals as well as green energy and engineering training.
More than £22.5m of the £25.8m has been committed so far including £9.38m on the Peninsula project, including harbour wall works; £6.95m of North Quay demolition and public space improvements along with £6.27m on the Weymouth Bowl site and West Marina works.
The council say that acquiring The Rectory for the Weymouth Cultural & Visitor Centre is financially viable within the remaining £3.2m capital funding.
The council will create a regeneration partnership with what it says is one of the UK’s leading independent construction and property services company, Willmott Dixon, in collaboration with Milligan, an experienced real estate developer, to “accelerate delivery and attract investment”.
A public engagement exercise is expected to begin in spring 2026, giving residents and businesses the chance to help shape the proposals.
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