Voices is the Dorset Echo's weekly youth page, written for young people by young people. If you would like to write an article for Voices please email alex.cutler@dorsetecho.co.uk

This month, it has been six years since the Weymouth Sainsbury’s and New Look development was completed. Now, this area should face new developments.

The Weymouth Gateway retail development has raised objections from Weymouth Town Council, as the site is claimed not to be able to host ‘quality jobs’.

Weymouth needs jobs – high quality or not. The town’s economy would be boosted if this retail development went ahead, particularly as it is north of Weymouth, closer to other towns in Dorset such as Dorchester, attracting a larger market.

Congestion is just one problem outlined by the council, but there are many other ways around it than just not going ahead with the plan. The council should take up these challenges to provide employment opportunities for their people, thus improving their lives economically and socially.

Furthermore, any concerns about it damaging the environment should be taken under consideration in planning the site.

There are many architectural alternatives, such as planning an energy-saving, environment boosting, which has already been proven in the area where the Weymouth Sainsbury’s has had numerous factors taken into consideration, and has achieved being one of the most environmentally friendly supermarkets in the country.

It is a ‘Triple Zero’ store, meaning that it has zero carbon emissions from all operational energy used, zero waste to landfill and zero impact on the water usage of the local catchment area because of its ‘Water Neutral’ status.

This store can be an inspiration to new developments in our area.

By James Sullivan