7th April 2010

WEYMOUTH: Councillors decide on a re-think over 'appalling' kiosk designs

By Harry Walton

COUNCIL officers have been told to take a fresh look at “appalling” design proposals for Weymouth beach kiosks and attractions.

A report to a meeting of Weymouth and Portland planning committee had been attempting to rationalise the number, type and position of food concessions, beach attractions and kiosks as part of the regeneration of Weymouth seafront.

Officers recommended members to approve a design based on western cedar shiplap cladding which they said would help create “a crisp edged contemporary feel”.

But 20 minutes later, after enduring a barrage of criticism, officers admitted that they had “got the drift” of the meeting that objectors and members did not like the design.

Weymouth Beach Group chairman Daren Deadman led the attack and said they had “genuine concerns” over the design which he said looked more like “a revved up Portacabin than a successful business”.

He pleaded that if things had to be changed then they be changed for the better to produce something worthy of Weymouth and he offered to share group design ideas with the council “so that together we can produce a seafront we are proud of.”

Councillor Christine James wanted to know why, if the group said the designs were no good, the council was not listening to the people on the beach.

She said they knew what they were doing while Councillor Margaret Leicester said the council designs were “appalling”.

She added: “If we allow that to go through we need shooting.”

Councillor John Birtwistle was savagely critical of a mental approach that he said seemed to say: We have a good idea, that’s it.

He added: “I am appalled that the beach traders’ design is a damn sight better yet that is not what’s come before us.”

Members then voted to defer the whole rationalisation for more design talks although they did agree to move one kiosk to a revised position so that views enjoyed by Café Blue customers were not blocked.

WEYMOUTH: Councillors decide on a re-think over 'appalling' kiosk designs

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