A BUSINESSMAN has blasted the council for delaying much-needed investment in Wey-mouth town centre with ‘trivial’ red tape.

Just weeks after the Echo turned the spotlight on the decline of the town centre, Bob Rezaei is growing frustrated at being unable to begin a £250,000 renovation of one empty high street shop.

Bob, who rents out commercial premises in the heart of town, says he has tenants, including Burger King, lining up to take the lease on the St Mary’s Street unit.

He insists Weymouth and Portland Borough Council should not be ‘building barriers’ given the recession and the need to revitalise the town centre.

“I have people interested in moving in but the council is being slow and difficult,” said Mr Rezaei, who rents out premises such as the Emporium on St Thomas Street.

“You would think they would want to help get the shop open to bring in rates and create jobs. It’s a win-win situation.

“I am happy to spend the money but the council has got to be more flexible.

“They are asking me for things like archaeology reports, as if there are going to be Roman remains in there.”

Mr Rezaei’s shop has now been empty for a year and there are around a dozen other premises in the town centre also lying unused.

Accusations of rents being too high have been levelled at landlords but he insists this is not the case.

He said: “My shop is not empty because no one wants to rent it but because we are still in discussions with the council. I want to get more usage out of it and there are people around who want to rent shops.”

Simon Williams, general manager for regeneration and sustainability at the council, said planning regulations had to be met but they were always keen to encourage investment. He said: “The council has a long-term commitment to economic regeneration.

“Our officers always try to seek positive planning solutions for businesses, while working to preserve listed buildings and conservation areas which are such an important part of the town.”

Mr Williams added that officers had discussed Mr Rezaei’s plans with him and pointed out that the site’s historic and archaeological significance had to be considered. He added: “The reuse of the shop for another retail unit does not in itself need planning permission.”

Listed buildings can present difficulties for developers as they are specially protected because of their historical and architectural importance.

The intention is to retain the specific character of a building or area and special planning requirements apply to development that affects them.

The protection applies to both the inside and the outside of a listed building, and damage to such a structure is a criminal offence.

Conservation areas are historic regions that usually contain a number of listed buildings.

Again, tighter controls on development apply in these areas, of which there are 15 in the borough. These include Weymouth town centre.