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Embrace more of the town says MP
A MAJOR redevelopment of Weymouth Pavilion should boldly embrace other sites such as the council offices, gasometer and swimming pool, says South Dorset MP Jim Knight
Mr Knight said today he was 'unconvinced' that current proposals taken in isolation would provide Weymouth and Portland with the best possible community features.
He added: "My own view is that those involved with the Pavilion project should look at linking this particular development with others in the
borough.
"The Pavilion development should not be considered as a stand-alone project.
"It would need bold thinking and vision, but why not look at how other sites in the town can be better used in the future and link that to the Pavilion site?
"For example, can the swimming pool site, ferry terminal and gasometer site be better used? Can the land currently occupied by the borough council offices and Westwey House be put to alternative use given that they are in such prominent locations?"
Mr Knight said he had decided to speak out because a number of his constituents had asked for more detailed views on the proposed Pavilion development and because the project was so important for the town.
He added: "The proposed redevelopment of Weymouth Pavilion offers a fantastic opportunity for the town to improve community facilities and improve a key part of the seafront visual landscape. This demands that the council and its partners get this right.
"By taking a wider view of the town, the potential extra revenue generated may also drive up the standard and quality of the community facilities offered on the Pavilion site to a level that I think everyone - including critics of the current Pavilion proposals - wishes to see."
Mr Knight stressed that everyone would not get an idea of what was planned for the Pavilion site until the final plans were submitted by developer Howard Holdings.
He said: "We are at a hugely important time for the town in terms of securing our long-awaited relief road and ensuring we gain a real legacy from hosting the sailing events in the 2012 Olympics.
"As a result, officials and elected councillors now have an ideal opportunity to take stock and look at how Weymouth and Portland can best develop as a borough.
"The best way to do this in my view is not to look at each project or site on a case by case basis but for some real joined-up thinking in terms of developments.
"We need a swimming pool and a theatre but the question is, are they in the right place at the moment?
"I am not saying that the new theatre should not be built on the Pavilion site but I am saying that all the sites should be looked at, such as the council offices and the gasometer, and the best decision reached for each."
9:00am Tuesday 25th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Albo, Wyke Regis on 9:58am Tue 25 Mar 08
What's that I smell? Is it the whiff of local elections in the air?
What's that I smell? Is it the whiff of local elections in the air?
Posted by: young_un, Weymouth on 10:09am Tue 25 Mar 08
Finally someone with a bit of weight (not easter egg related) has spoken out and re-stated what a good number of residents have been saying for months in the letters to the Echo - but the questionis, do our local councillors have the vision (and indeed bottle) to move from North Quay!!
Finally someone with a bit of weight (not easter egg related) has spoken out and re-stated what a good number of residents have been saying for months in the letters to the Echo - but the questionis, do our local councillors have the vision (and indeed bottle) to move from North Quay!!
Posted by: young_un, Weymouth on 10:10am Tue 25 Mar 08
Finally someone with a bit of weight (not easter egg related) has spoken out and re-stated what a good number of residents have been saying for months in the letters to the Echo - but the questionis, do our local councillors have the vision (and indeed bottle) to move from North Quay!!
Finally someone with a bit of weight (not easter egg related) has spoken out and re-stated what a good number of residents have been saying for months in the letters to the Echo - but the questionis, do our local councillors have the vision (and indeed bottle) to move from North Quay!!
Posted by: Oliver Holt, Wyke Regis on 10:30am Tue 25 Mar 08
He's just said what I and a few others have been thinking for a while now. This sort of things has come up on the Echo site forums before - with the proposed council merge and the Marsh situation, quite a few people have realised that the rejuvenation of the town should be looked at in more places than just the Pavilion. If HH could be allowed a small part of this larger area for housing or whatever (i.e. the more controversial aspects of their design) to generate enough return on their investment, than the Pavilion site would not have to be so intensively redeveloped, and could be left to what some objectors agree with.
He's just said what I and a few others have been thinking for a while now. This sort of things has come up on the Echo site forums before - with the proposed council merge and the Marsh situation, quite a few people have realised that the rejuvenation of the town should be looked at in more places than just the Pavilion. If HH could be allowed a small part of this larger area for housing or whatever (i.e. the more controversial aspects of their design) to generate enough return on their investment, than the Pavilion site would not have to be so intensively redeveloped, and could be left to what some objectors agree with.
Posted by: maximus, Weymouth on 11:52am Tue 25 Mar 08
I agree with the sentiments but 'bandwagon' and 'jumping' come to mind.
I agree with the sentiments but 'bandwagon' and 'jumping' come to mind.
Posted by: MIG, Poole on 7:35pm Tue 25 Mar 08
This is most strange, I find that I actually agree with Jim Knight.
Something must be wrong there somewhere.
As I have said before, even more so when I lived there, Weymouth planners have never, ever, been able to think outside the box, which is both literal and metaphorical in the case of Weymouth.
This is most strange, I find that I actually agree with Jim Knight.
Something must be wrong there somewhere.
As I have said before, even more so when I lived there, Weymouth planners have never, ever, been able to think outside the box, which is both literal and metaphorical in the case of Weymouth.
Posted by: Old Synic, Wyke on 9:07am Thu 27 Mar 08
Well there we go.Just when I thought I knew everything a labour MP actually comes up with something sensible.Most of us mere mortals have been saying this sort of thing for years.But I suspect it will take even longer than other projects (not mentioning the releif road)to come into being.
Well there we go.Just when I thought I knew everything a labour MP actually comes up with something sensible.Most of us mere mortals have been saying this sort of thing for years.But I suspect it will take even longer than other projects (not mentioning the releif road)to come into being.
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