COUNCILLORS must cast aside any worries they have about Weymouth's Pavilion redevelopment and grasp this 'one-off opportunity' to transform the town.

Failure to act on Howard Holdings' proposals for the harbour gateway jeopardises any future development of the area and leaves the operation of the theatre in the balance, council chiefs have declared.

They are backing the new development brief for the site which will see the main building increased from six to eight storeys in parts to provide 337 apartments and a marina boosted from 150 to 290 berths.

Members of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's management comm-ittee will be asked to support the proposals and an accompanying environmental assessment when they meet at the Pavilion Theatre next Tuesday - and pave the way for a planning application.

More than 260 individuals and groups commented on the latest proposals with the vast majority concerned about the large-scale development.

Borough planning manager Simon Williams says councillors will have to determine whether the scale of residential development and the marina is justified.

A building of up to eight storeys will be significant' for Weymouth, he admits - but councillors have to consider the public and regeneration benefits the scheme will bring.

He warns that if the brief is not supported there is a risk no development will take place and the future operation of the theatre could be open to question.' Mr Williams says in a report: "The development will be new, large-scale and will change the seafront.

"However, this is something of a one-off opportunity for Weymouth, to either grasp and move forward and enhance its status or alternatively to leave the site in its present, somewhat parlous state, with the resulting lack of investment and general dereliction."

Mr Williams points out that leaving the site undeveloped could impair other seafront improvements as it could discourage investment by other parties, who may not see their investment as being worthwhile if Pavilion improvements were not taking place.

He says: "This would also have serious consequences for the future of the theatre and the rest of the site, which in planning terms does not enhance the adjacent conservation area nor contribute towards the regeneration of the borough."

Mr Williams adds: "A key issue for consideration is whether the fact that the development is large in scale should necessarily be seen as negative.

"The scale should also be considered as having the potential to not only enhance the site, but also to help enhance Weymouth's position as a forward-looking resort.

"There is no doubt that the 2012 Olympic Games is bringing increased interest and investment in Weymouth and Portland and members need to consider whether, if this opportunity is not taken, it may be many years before an alternative form of development, which is economically viable will come forward."

As well as the marina and residential apartments, the scheme makes room for a remodelled Pavilion Theatre, a World Heritage Site visitor centre, a four-star hotel, a new ferry terminal, community function room, car parks, shops and restaurants, walkways and a public square.

Mr Williams stresses the scheme could not be provided through the provision of the smaller marina and lower scale of development where the maximum height was proposed to be six storeys.

He adds that certain points raised during the consultation, including design issues, will be addressed as part of the preparation of the planning application.