NEW development plans are to be discussed for the Pavilion peninsula in Weymouth.

The harbour gateway site, subject of a £150 million redevelopment scheme which failed to happen four years ago, is back in the spotlight again ahead of talks which may lead to new proposals coming forward.

Council chiefs have agreed to meet with a group who believe a ‘commercially viable but community-focused’ scheme for the land with an ‘iconic’ building at its heart will help to regenerate Weymouth.

They say they want to work with the council, locals, business people, Pavilion operators and others in bringing a scheme forward.

The group includes sustainable community developer Pete Halsall and leading architect Sean Griffiths.

Their interest has been sparked by Mr Griffiths’ friend, Weymouth resident Jason West, who has been leading a campaign for the town to take a fresh look at the peninsula and the opportunity it offers.

Mr West believes it could be a prime site for an arts and community centre – whether a remodelled Pavilion or a new building altogether – a five-star hotel, shops, open-air arena and market, and refurbished ferry terminal.

The site was previously earmarked for a multi-million pound redevelopment by Howard Holdings but as the recession gripped the firm failed to move on its plans in 2009.

Redevelopment of the site remains a long-term aim of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

Mr West, Mr Halsall and Mr Griffiths are championing a process whereby local people have an input into the development and influence what can be built there.

The process, a design ‘charrette’, would see Mr Halsall leading a series of meetings involving the council, leaseholders, residents and business people who would all work together to create a legally binding masterplan for developers to work with.

The plan is then used to raise the finance required to make the scheme happen, which is likely to be more than £100 million.

Investment would stay local as it would involve local companies and materials.

The group will discuss their ideas with borough council representatives at a meeting on Monday and propose the authority spends about £7,000 setting up a charrette.

Before the meeting, they are inviting residents to hear more about their plans at a question and answer session at the Pavilion from 11.45am to 12.45pm on Monday.

Mr West, 47, moved to Weymouth five years ago. He runs English language schools and publishes educational materials online.

He said his interest in the scheme is as a concerned local resident interested in the town’s future.

He said: “What we’re proposing isn’t revolutionary but it requires people to join in with the vision of doing something really well and in a way that’s inclusive and amazing for Weymouth.

“It’s not a pipe dream. This is possible.”

Mr Halsall is convinced he can raise the money to build the scheme through social funds and other ‘ethical’ investors.

He said: “The Pavilion site is well located, has tremendous views, and is brimming with potential.”

'Proposals welcome'

WEYMOUTH and Portland Borough Council spokesman for Finance and Assets Pete Chapman said: “The council wants to see development on the peninsula and always welcomes proposals which are properly costed and realistically put together.

“We are happy to meet with potential partners on that basis and on the understanding that a proper process is followed to ensure any development is planned in a well-managed way.

“That includes taking account of a town centre masterplan to be drawn up as proposed in the emerging local plan and EU procurement laws, which would apply for a development of this scale.

“Involvement of the community and partners is also crucial in making sure we get what we want on the site.

“Reviewing the council’s assets is an increasingly crucial part of our financial strategy in the coming years, and clearly the peninsula is core part of that.”