Town 'open for business' with new multi-million retail park at Weymouth Gateway

The Weymouth Gateway scheme off Mercery Road will bring new stores to the area and create 280 jobs.

President of the Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce, Craig Oakes, said in a statement that the development could change 'what Weymouth can really offer in and out of season' and noted 'Weymouth is open for business'.

Concerns have been raised the development is on a site earmarked for industrial use and instead should be for businesses that provide high quality jobs. But councillors agreed the retail scheme would create a significant economic boost and would make use of a vacant site.

Where the retail park will be built.

• Read more - As it happened as councillors debated Weymouth Gateway plans

Due to the scale of the proposal and the land's designation a key employment site, the decision will need to be signed and approved by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick.

The site on land off Mercery Road - directly opposite Aldi - would see multiple brands open new branches including Dunhelm, B&M Homestore, McDonald’s and a Costa Coffee drive-through. A large car park will be formed along with 32 proposed electric car charging spaces and cycle parking areas.

The development by LondonMetric Property and Avercet, will also make provision for a plot to be marketed for ‘employment use’, and another area set aside as ‘future development land’.

'Eyesore' land to be transformed into retail park despite councillors' concerns

Retail park at Weymouth Gateway site

Twelve councillors on the Western and Southern Area Planning Committee at Dorset Council met virtually yesterday to discuss the proposals.

The site, which has been vacant for more than 10 years, was described by some councillors as an ‘eyesore’ and a ‘bombsite’ which was in dire need of redevelopment.

Cllr Louie O'Leary said if the plans were rejected, it could be seen as Weymouth saying ‘no to investment’ and potentially leave the site empty for another 10 years.

He said the scheme will attract more visitors to Weymouth and stop people visiting other towns for shopping.

Cllr Tony Ferrari said 'we have tried and failed' to turn the location into an employment site but noted the retail park 'is a good option and one we can deliver.'

Addressing concerns that there are not enough skilled jobs, he said that not every role at the site will be low paid as there will be senior roles and career opportunities for employees.

Site should be employment business park instead of retail park, figures claimed

The layout of the site

Others however were concerned that the site should be used for an employment business park, with higher quality jobs, and were concerned about the impact on Weymouth town centre.

Cllr Peter Barrow said there were 'very serious social issues' in the borough, with a number of deprived areas. He said the creation of highly skilled skills and roles with higher wages would help retain residents and stop them looking elsewhere for employment.

He was also concerned about the site’s impact on the town centre.

After hearing concerns about quality of jobs, David Bolwell, committee member, said: “Do we give up on high skilled jobs? What does Weymouth want?”

Other councillors admitted they were ‘conflicted’ and had a ‘really difficult’ decision to make, but swayed towards approval due to the risk of the Mercery Road location being derelict for many more years.

A vote on the plans saw a 11-1 vote in favour of the development. Kelvin Clayton, Green Party councillor in Bridport, was the only councillor who voted against the plans.

Developers 'absolutely thrilled' with approved plans

Chris Newns, Director of Avercet, at the Weymouth Gateway development site

Following the meeting, Chris Newns of co-applicant Avercet Property, was ‘absolutely thrilled’ and said the project will provide a large economical boost to Weymouth.

He said: “Having successfully delivered Aldi last September, we’re absolutely thrilled with this result in which the majority of the committee backed our proposal for creating much-needed jobs and an economic stimulus for Weymouth.

“It’s clear from our recent public exhibition that local residents and business groups are overwhelmingly in favour of this development too, and we look forward to working with local stakeholders to deliver on the potential of this longstanding brownfield site.”

A spokesman for London Metric said they were working with Weymouth BID to see a way they can also promote Weymouth town centre, namely through signage.

He said the scheme would create 280 year-round full-time jobs along with 50 construction jobs.

Speaking after the meeting, Craig Oakes, said: “The Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce were pleased to see that this common sense decision has been agreed.

“It was something that the whole executive committee voted on and it was pretty much unanimous from us as well.”