Q. Why has the developer not purchased the site for development?
Normally, developers purchase sites for redevelopment on the basis of the type and amount of development they believe can be achieved, less all costs (including build costs, the cost of any off-site...
View ArticleQ. How do we know we are getting a good deal?
The council and Howard Holdings have always and will continue to adopt an open book approach - this means that all information is shared at every stage.
View ArticleQ. There have been a lot of confusing letters in the Echo about whether...
The site wasn't put out to formal tender. It would have been very expensive because of the need to prepare extensive specification documents and reliable background information, such as site conditions.
View ArticleQ. Why are we not including a modern tramway system from the railway station...
The only way to get funding for things like tramways is from central government.
View ArticleQ. It is said that the views of the Nothe Fort from the clock tower will be...
It will be impossible to see the town and beach from the Nothe!
View ArticleQ. Why isn't Newton's Cove made into a marina? A quiet bay, very under-used,...
Newton's Cove is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which is why we had to take so much care when we did the coastal defence scheme.
View ArticleQ. The only access road to this development is the already congested...
The site is a very accessible location, since it is within walking distance of the town centre, bus routes and the rail station. As a result, car use will be not as intense.
View ArticleQ: Won’t the proposals the council is looking at just create an exclusive...
No. The draft masterplan and indeed the council's contract with Howard Holdings make sure that as much of the site is open to the public as possible.
View ArticleQ: What is affordable housing? And just where will it go?
The Weymouth and Portland Local Plan requires 30 per cent of new housing on development sites to be provided as affordable housing.
View ArticleQ: Why can’t the council raise capital instead from a luxury hotel and flat...
The redevelopment of both these sites is on the council's future work programme; indeed we have been talking to the landowners of the Westway Road site recently.
View ArticleQ: Is it possible that the marina could result in sewage contaminating the...
At peak times in the season Weymouth harbour can moor over 100 visiting yachts at any one time in addition to the 800 or so permanent moorings in the Inner Harbour. No responsible sailor flushes an...
View ArticleQ: I am concerned by the number of flats and their location.
The number of flats, as has been previously reported in the Echo, is required to ensure that the scheme is commercially viable.
View ArticleQ: Why can we not have leisure facilities – a swimming pool complex on the site?
In 2004 the council and its consultants considered a wide range of possibilities for the site before seeking a development partner, including replacing the existing swimming pool and relocating it to...
View ArticleQ: The whole thing already seems to be a done deal. It probably hardly needs...
This is absolutely not the case. The council has worked closely with Howard Holdings and a range of statutory agencies to develop the draft masterplan. This consultation includes illustrative drawings,...
View ArticleQ: If opinion is strongly against this development, might Howard Holdings...
The council and Howard Holdings have agreed a conditional contract. Provided a scheme is designed which receives planning consent and is viable then the development will proceed.
View ArticleQ: It seems that the plans to provide a new theatre which would have made it...
The figures above are actually wrong. A new theatre was costed at £14 million, while the current proposal is to spend £7m on completely remodelling the existing one.
View ArticleQ: How can a plan to refurbish the Pavilion and only reduce the present...
We haven't got to the stage of choosing a new seat yet!
View ArticleQ: Could the car parking situation be clarified? After allocation of car...
The council's contract with Howard Holdings requires a 400-space public carpark to be provided. In addition we will be able to use the ferry stacking lanes for parking once the ferry has departed each...
View ArticleQ: When Howard Holdings gave presentations to full council last year and were...
That was a position taken on the information available at the time. Since being selected as preferred partner, Howard Holdings has spent around £1 million to establish all the information needed about...
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