Seafront gateway plan to go ahead

The plans include refurbishing the Weymouth Pavilion Theatre

Plans for a major �135m redevelopment of Weymouth Pavilion and ferry terminal in Dorset are due to be submitted to the council next month.

The scheme, to develop the area for the 2012 Olympic sailing events in Weymouth and Portland, has angered residents.

Last week, a petition against the seafront plans signed by 7,500 people was taken to Downing Street.

But councillors voted 27 to eight to back the scheme, meaning a planning application is due to be made in July.

Earlier plans to develop Weymouth seafront were revised to make the scheme more economically viable.

The new plans, by developers Howard Holdings, include a four star hotel, a new ferry terminal building, refurbished theatre, more marina berths, and new flats.

Opponents, including the Our Weymouth group, say the scheme will spoil views and scare off tourists.

Supporters say it will finance millions of pounds of public benefits.

Work could begin by the end of the year.

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