by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Live music will again feature from a seafront bandstand in Weymouth.
The resort has enjoyed bandstands in the past – but all have long fallen out of use and were demolished.
Now a Weymouth Town Council plan will see a new, smaller, bandstand built close to the War Memorial with a decking area added to project it over the beach.
Dorset Council’s area planning committee approved the proposal on Thursday, to be located next to a ramp onto the beach.
The meeting heard that although the area was dotted with listed buildings and structures it was felt the bandstand would not be out of place and, of traditional design, with a metal roof and detailed upright columns, could be argued that it added to the character of the historic seafront.
Said planning committee chairman, Cllr Neil Eysenck: “It made me smile when I looked at the plans – it seems like a nice addition to Weymouth seafront and I’m happy to support this.”
Weymouth Town Council say the new bandstand will continue a history of music by the sea, the town having several bandstands in its history from Victorian times.
Said the town council in its application for planning consent: “The Bandstand would provide an attractive location to accommodate music and theatre performances and a venue for wedding ceremonies…
“The new Bandstand on the Esplanade would be a modern interpretation of an original traditional structure. The hexagonal layout would offer a traditional approach and would reflect the previous bandstands on the beach and promenade.”
The decking area will be less than 25 sq m finished in timber, supported on a metal frame with surfacing similar to that used for the decking at The Boat and The View cafes on The Esplanade.
