A NEW masterplan which could transform Weymouth seafront has been unveiled.
A draft 10-year seafront strategy was presented to Weymouth Town Council's environment and services committee, covering the three-kilometre area from the promenade walkway along the seafront near the Pavilion, along to Greenhill and Overcombe.
It looks at ways in which the seafront can make 'best use' of its assets, to attract visitors, support local businesses and provide the 'best possible' social and leisure facilities for local residents.
The new plans have been drawn up by Weymouth town council officers after a plan commissioned by consultancy firm Hemingway Design, for which the town council allocated £25,000, was rejected by councillors in 2023, with members of the town council's services committee describing the previous plan as "a waste of council taxpayers' money".
It was felt much of what was proposed in the previous plan was out of the town council's control unless the authority was able to get other partners on board - for example, improvements to pedestrian access, traffic management and sitting-out areas for restaurants were suggested, however, decisions on any changes to pavements and roads are made by Dorset Council.
In Summer 2023, the town council led a consultation on the new draft seafront strategy, receiving 1,100 responses.
The plan sets out six key focus areas; beach attractions; enhancing the promenade; catering facilities along the promenade; enhancing Greenhill and Preston Beach; facilities and activities for young people; generic actions.
It suggests consolidating the four current beach attraction sites into one larger site to create more space.
Speaking at the meeting, chairman of the environment and services committee Cllr Ryan Hope said: "Last year we were presented with a plan that was produced by an external provider that I think Weymouth wasn't happy with and we weren't happy with either.
"Our instruction to officers was to come back with a plan that we could deliver."
Included are plans to develop an events programme for bandstand music in the area, develop, pop-up themed markets, permanent street-food offerings, a street entertainers spot and increase the number of benches on the Seafront, including increasing benches near the Jubilee Clock by 20 per cent.
Plans to enhance Preston Beach and Greenhill include free-to-use barbecues, children's play areas, outdoor recreation, outdoor fitness equipment and showers, lockers and training facilities.
Adding more showers, more cycle racks, more shaded areas on the beach and more free activities, as well as plans for a big screen on the beach for major events, also form part of the draft strategy.
Cllr Ryan Hope added: "This is an overarching document, this is the strategy, the actions could follow at any point.
"Like any document, it can be brought back to the committee for review at any point.
"As our council, our message is we support this, it will help us move forward."
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of recommending the adoption of the Seafront Strategy to the full council next month.
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