Council 'looking again' at plans for derelict sites

A council has said it is taking a second look at plans for two derelict sites after applications received for their development failed to meet standards.

The MFA Bowl building and North Quay in Weymouth have been derelict since 2019 and 2016 respectively, and in October Dorset Council encouraged developers to submit proposals for the sites.

But on Monday the council said none of the applications met its criteria, and councillors were considering "alternative options".

Cabinet member Richard Biggs conceded it was not "not where we wanted to be at this stage".

The office building at North Quay, which had been derelict since 2016, was demolished last year.

Located next to Weymouth Harbour, the site was turned into a temporary 238-space car park and used for drop-offs and pick-ups by cruise ship coaches.

It can remain as a car park for up to three years while development plans are decided.

The bowling alley building on St Nicholas Street will be knocked down in April and the site will also be used as a temporary car park.

Dorset Council began searching for a development partner for the site in January 2024.

The authority said early conversations indicated there was enthusiasm to develop the sites, but Mr Biggs said the council had to ensure any future development was "of the highest quality, sustainable and represents value for money".

"The bids we received from potential development partners simply did not meet the high standards we had set at the start of this process," he said.

He said any investment must bring "long-lasting benefits" for the town.

"We have a strong future vision for Weymouth, to create thriving, sustainable developments which will regenerate Weymouth's economy and meet the needs of the town and the surrounding area," he said.

"We have one opportunity to get this right, and we must stick to our guns to ensure our aspirations for Weymouth are met."

The council said it would take some time to consider the next steps and announce its plan in the coming months.

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