South West England
300 berth marina for Weymouth
Such a development would act as "a giant groyne" claims former harbour master
The proposed new Pavilion Theatre and Ferry Terminal
The proposed 300 berth marina which would extend the Pavilion development
Plans for the Pavilion & Ferry Terminal site have been evolving for many years and have sought to rejuvenate a site occupied by tired buildings, an unsightly car park and derelict land.
The principal vision by Weymouth's Council and planners is to encompass a development within Weymouth, providing shopping, tourism, recreation and community facilities that will wholly support Weymouth’s place as a sub-regional centre. Weymouth's Council is also acutely aware that in four years time, the eyes of the world will be watching this sea side town as it hosts the venue of the 2012 Olympic Games sailing regatta. The regeneration project planned for the 10 acre site will comprise up to 345 residential units, a high quality 120-150 bed hotel, as well as bar bistros, restaurants and retail outlets around a public square. In addition, the project will deliver a completely remodelled Pavilion Theatre complex including a new performance space, a new ferry terminal, the re-provision of 400 public car parking spaces for use by both theatre patrons and visitors, a new World Heritage Site Visitor Centre and large public spaces.
Detached from the main plan, is a 300 berth marina which its hoped will be added as an extension of the Pavilion development. Currently the marina does not form part of the planning application, as it requires a separate Harbour Empowerment Order to be considered by the Department of Transport.
Weymouth's former harbour master, Capt Tambling, claimed that the marina's breakwaters would act as a giant groyne.
Capt Tambling, who has been concerned about the project from day one, believes council tax payers could end up footing the bill for the huge cost of shifting thousands of tons of sand from the beach every year caused by extending the Pavilion island' to create a marina.
He is also alarmed by the close proximity of residential development to the ferry terminal.
After visiting the exhibition about the new development brief and environmental assessment Capt Tambling drew up a list of concerns which he handed to Howard Holdings' investment director Geoff Sparrow. Capt Tambling's main concern is with the effect the development will have on the natural flow of sand and aggregate which collects in Weymouth Bay.
He said: "There is a steady westerly flow of marine aggregates extending from Dungeness to Portland Bill and Weymouth is the only easterly-facing beach which is clear of groynes.
"During a gale the swells force the aggregate material upward to form a bank of gravel. Rising sea levels will necessitate the raising of the promenade to prevent flooding."
Capt Tambling, who previously managed a marine aggregate business, added: "It is obvious that to extend the Pavilion island into the bay with a marina attached will act as an extended groyne to collect the estimated 200,000 cubic metres (or tons) of sand.
"The continual movement of sand assisted by the constant tidal current cannot be stopped. Removal of material will cost at least £1 per ton every year. I understand that the dredged sand taken from the new marina site is to be placed on the beach.
"Will the developer pay the annual cost? Residents cannot afford annual charges such as these."
Capt Tambling, who served as harbourmaster for 10 years until 1994, also suggested that people staying in the proposed hotel and living in the flats would be disturbed by ferries' engines and be affected by their exhausts.
He cites the example of the Oceanographic Institute in Southampton where black smoke from ships' funnels has got into the air conditioning system.
Capt Tambling said: "Whenever I had a vessel discharging (in Weymouth Harbour) there were complaints from guesthouse owners about the noise and smell or the opening of doors or hatch covers.
"All vessels sound a long blast on their horn warning of an impending departure or obeying regulations and such signals are supposed to be heard at distances of two miles.
"There is no other port in Europe in which a ferry terminal is almost touching housing, let alone a hotel."
Capt Tambling also wonders who will pay for the dredging operation to remove sand from the new marina.
And he is concerned about potential swells in the area outside the harbour entrance endangering small craft.
Howard Holdings' regional director Gary Charman said the company would be replying to Capt Tambling.
He said: "He asks some detailed questions and we need to consider these before making our response."
