Plans for a major project to regenerate and transform Weymouth Quay to provide a boost to the economy and create jobs have been unveiled.

Residents were invited to find out more and share their thoughts about the ambitious £6.8 million Weymouth Quay Regeneration Project at an event in Weymouth Library. However, many who came along share concerns about how the project would shape the area's future.

Dorset Council gave residents and businesses the opportunity to view and ask questions about the initial concept drawings at the drop-in meeting, at which council representatives and Weymouth's harbour master were present offer give their insights.

Under the proposals, redundant buildings at the former ferry terminal on the quayside will be demolished to make way for the new development.

This development would see a brand new building constructed, which would include a new Harbour Centre of Excellence for small to medium size enterprises, and buildings such as a harbour office and other facilities for users.

Proposals also include moving the fish landing quay and improving it as well as other essential facilities including fuel. A new harbourside walkway is also part of the plan.

Weymouth Pavilion will remain unaffected by the development.

These plans are separate to the redevelopment of the peninsula with a leisure scheme.

Residents attending the drop-in at the library about the quay project expressed some concerns about the proposals. Some residents said they were disappointed that there was no consideration of a possible return of a cross-Channel ferry service. Weymouth lost its ferry link in 2015 when Condor moved its operation to Poole.

Weymouth resident Clive Tomlinson, 86, said: "We have a got a town centre that is dying. Are people going to go through a dead town centre to get to this? Perhaps it is going to breathe some life back into an area that is dying at the moment? It is just a shame that we haven't got the ferries any longer."

Weymouth's harbour master Keith Howorth said there were currently no ongoing plans to reintroduce ferries to Weymouth Harbour, although he did not absolutely rule it out for the future if a compatible plan were to be proposed.

Another Weymouth resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "This town needs more than this for a positive change. It is well meaning stuff, but it is so insufficient at the moment. It is probably the best use they could make of this. Anything they do with it has got to be good."

Resident Meridy Phillips expressed concerns about how the layout of the plans might affect its status as a working harbour.

She said: "My main objections are making the harbour into a marine boat park and ruining the interesting character of one of the last working harbours, which is a great tourist attraction."

Regeneration Project timetable

At the drop-in event, members of the public were show the timeline for the regeneration project.

It began in spring of this year, when the funding was awarded from the Coastal Communities Fund, in which the project received £3.79 million.

Earlier this autumn, Austin-Smith:Lord was appointed as the architectural firm responsible for drawing up the details of the regeneration project.

Through the winter, the essential harbour wall repairs are expected to be completed, while the exact designs of the plans are to be developed further.

One of the most significant steps in the project, the submission of the planning application, is due to happen in the spring of next year.

After this hurdle, the plan is to commence construction of the major developments, including the harbour improvements and the walkway, in the summer of 2020, which will continue throughout the rest of the year.

In the spring of 2021, the brand new harbour facilities are expected to be ready and are scheduled to open for use at that point.