What future for the Pavilion?

Hopes of a way forward with the controversial project have been dashed after Europa Capital decided not to take up its option to step into the development agreement the council previously had with Howard Holdings.

When Howard breached that agreement Europa, which had provided most of the funding for site investigation and plan preparation, appointed Morgan Sindall as its development partner with a view to producing an acceptable proposal.

But the current difficult financial climate meant that, despite hard work by all parties, Europa couldn’t put forward a scheme that would be financially viable yet still include what the council wanted such as a refurbished theatre, new ferry terminal, car park and public spaces.

Europa said that because of this they had decided not to exercise their step-in rights which leaves the council holding the safety net for a building which is being run at a heavy loss.

Weymouth and Portland special projects spokesman Coun Howard Legg said: “We now need to look to the future and are planning to consider the site from two viewpoints — firstly how the site will be used during 2012 to maximise its use and contribution towards the Olympic and Paralympic Games and secondly to consider how the site might be developed for the longer term.

“We also recognise that it is some time since the concepts for the site were developed following consultation with the local community.

“We will need to re-visit this through a new community planning or similar exercise. However whatever market condition prevails, economic viability will still be a key requirement.”

Management committee chairman Coun Mike Goodman said: “The Pavilion-ferry terminal site still has the potential to make a fantastic contribution towards the regeneration of Weymouth and we must not lose sight of that.

“While we recognise in the current financial climate that a scheme cannot go ahead, we will continue to look for opportunities in the future.”