News that important projects in West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland will receive a funding boost has been welcomed.
Projects receiving funds include the plan to transform Weymouth Town Centre, the MEMO (Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory) project on Portland and Kingston Maurward College in Dorchester.
The funding was announced by the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership today (29/1) after it agreed an expansion to its Growth Deal with the Government. The agreement means £12.6 million will be invested across Dorset from 2016 to 2021 to promote growth.
The news that Kingston Maurward College will receive funding for new facilities was welcomed by Councillor Anthony Alford, Leader of West Dorset District Council. He said: “It is great news that this investment will help improve education and training for people here in West Dorset.”
Councillor Mike Byatt, Chairman of Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s Management Committee also welcomed the funding announcement. He said: “It is fantastic that money has been secured for the Weymouth Town Centre Master Plan. We are leading this project, which aims to revitalise the centre of our town and help create a more prosperous future, so I am delighted at this news. I am grateful to our officers for working hard to submit a bid for funding in the short time made available by the LEP.
“We have been working closely with the Dorset LEP for some time, recognising that this is the new way that Government wishes to fund economic growth throughout the country. It is important that projects in the west of Dorset have been recognised and supported.
“I am also very pleased that the MEMO Project has won funding. This exciting project promises to be an iconic feature of our amazing Jurassic Coast. Portland’s spectacular cliffs would provide an amazing home to this planned global memorial to extinct species.”
Councillor Byatt is a member of the Dorset Growth Board and in that capacity was invited to Bournemouth University today (29/1) to hear Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announce the funding.
The next steps for the Weymouth Town Centre Masterplan will be considered by the borough council’s Management Committee on Tuesday. (3/2)
The masterplan, which is being led by Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, will guide how the town centre is developed over the next 10 years.
The aim is to deliver a brighter future for the town. The plan’s vision is to create a thriving town centre that is a vibrant place to live, work and play, which offers diversity in housing, amenities and services.
More information about the Weymouth and Portland Master Plan is available at https://www.dorsetforyou.com/brighterwey
More information about the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership is available here: https://www.dorsetlep.co.uk/news-and-events
