It is unusual for more than 90% of respondents in a public consultation exercise to speak in favour of a scheme, but the results of the questionnaire issued in relation to planning proposals for the redevelopment of Dolphin Square, Weston-super-Mare were almost unanimously in support, and now the application has just received an equally unanimous approval.
Dolphin Square © Copyright Peter Barrington and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
A strong expression ran through the replies that something needed to be done, and improvement was greatly needed, to update the ageing 1960s development with a modern centre at the heart of the coastal town that would work well for local residents and attract tourism.
North Somerset Council identified the site’s potential in its Local Plan and two years ago produced a specific Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) focusing on the requirements and issues surrounding the much-needed redevelopment proposals.
The 2.6ha site comprises Dolphin Square with its covered market, bowling alley, car park, Council offices and apartments, the Carlton Street car park, a former Council storage facility, and takeaway premises on Oxford Street1. RPS is engaged to act for McLaren Life Property which acquired the 125-year site leasehold from the local authority last year.
The prime location of the site has placed extra emphasis on the need for a vibrant and attractive centre that will attract visitors and does not impose a negative visual impact upon older buildings –including the nearby Grade II listed primary school, and church, and the Deco architecture of the popular Scally’s pub. Part of the site lies within the Sea Lawns Conservation Area. A central location, sea-front proximity and the surrounding mix of residential development were all major considerations when preparing the plan.
Formal plans for the £35m scheme provide a new bowling centre, with a multi-storey car park, eight-screen cinema, hotel, restaurants, a public house and shops The new centre will deliver eight new retail units and eight restaurant units to complement the existing day-night quality café culture provided in the town. There is a strong emphasis on good pedestrian access to and across the site, linking it to the remainder of the town centre much of which has been improved in recent years.
The new development when completed will create approximately 450 jobs, 50% of which will be full-time. A minimum of 15% of the site’s energy requirements will be produced sustainably on-site.
Tenants have already been secured for the hotel, cinema, and one of the restaurant units. Speaking on the cinema letting, Simon Berry, Director at McLaren Life said ‘This is the first piece of a jigsaw that will give residents and visitors the facilities the town deserves and ones that continue the regeneration of the west country’s most important resort’.
The RPS input was led by Lyn Powell of the Cardiff office. Commenting on the proposal he stated that “The overwhelming support for the scheme reflects its importance to the economy and tourism profile of the town. The hotel will add significantly to the quantum of quality bed-space available locally; the new car-park will add to the number of dedicated visitor spaces provided within the town; the doubling of the size of the bowling alley will sustain the future of this much-loved and used facility; and the new shops and restaurants, not to mention the multi-screen cinema, will add substantially to the vitality of the town at this important, pivotal location. It is a project that RPS can be proud to have promoted.”
Lyn Powell
T: +44 (0) 29 2066 8662
E: powelll@rpsgroup.com
Weston super Mare seafront (and crop for thumbnail image) @copy; Copyright Jonathan Billinger and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
1 Numbers 2a-2b –the Oxford Restaurant and Takeaway has been purchased by the Council for redevelopment. Numbers 12-16 Oxford Street –the Chicken Inn, will also be redeveloped. Sands Nightclub, and Scally’s pub –both in private ownership, will not be affected by the development, with the pub being a key heritage point.