Delays to Weymouth bowl development of affordable homes

As reported the private operator of the former MFA Bowl in the town centre – previously Lakeside Bowling – suddenly closed the attraction in April 2019, amid a £200,000 repair bill.

Last year landowner Dorset Council unveiled plans to demolish the derelict building to make way for a complex of 59 affordable flats and four commercial units, with a completion date of summer 2023.

Artist impression of the proposed complex of affordable homes at former Weymouth Bowl site (Image: Dorset Council)

But in an update this week the council admitted it can no longer predict a timescale for delivering the project and does not expect to submit a planning application until at least March 2023. 

A spokesperson for the authority also disclosed that the council paid £1,580,000 to take over the lease for the site from the previous occupants in January this year.

A decision was never made following expressions of interest for the proposed commercial units, and a question mark remains over the future use of the site, as the council now says that “any development on this site might include residential or commercial space or a mixture of both.”

As reported, the site is of significant historical importance to Weymouth, and investigations by Context One Archaeologists uncovered remains of one of the very earliest homes to have been built in the area, dating back to the 13th century. The team - joined by local volunteers and historians - also discovered a medieval well, amongst other major finds.

Cheryl Green, a director at Context One Heritage & Archaeology, with the one of the discoveries, a 13th century well (Image: Context One Heritage and Archaeology)

An archaeological report with recommendations will be considered during the planning process, and the council’s spokesperson said further investigations will probably be needed.

In response to questions from the Echo last week the council's spokesperson asserted that the project is not delayed due to archaeological investigations - while the cause of the delay has not been revealed. 

The council is in a difficult situation: the authority is under pressure to meet Government house-building targets and the former bowling alley is an ideal brownfield site.

The car park is still being run by a private operator - while the former bowling alley attraction remains derelict (Image: Ellie Maslin, Newsquest)

But, as initial excavations by the council’s appointed archaeologists show, it is also rich in centuries' worth of undiscovered local history.

The council’s portfolio member with responsibility for the site, cllr Tony Ferrari, declined to comment last week.

Melcombe Regis councillor Jon Orrell said: “I am keen to see this site developed for affordable housing. We are desperately in need of warm homes for local people. I also would like to see the proposed Weymouth Peninsula redevelopment proceed.”

Also representing the Melcombe Regis ward, councillor Tia Roos added: “We desperately need safe and affordable places for people to live. I hope that Dorset Council will invest in providing local council housing – that would be amazing for Weymouth and should be a top priority.”