Harbour wall strengthening at Weymouth Harbour, Weymouth

“Application Number: P/FUL/2024/05538 Webpage: https://planning.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/ Site address: Weymouth Harbour, Weymouth, DT4 8AJ Proposal: Replacement and strengthening of harbour walls F and G through installation of new sheet pile walls in front of the existing walls, for the portion of the new wall where it is located above the mean low water mark, tie bar extension and ground works, works to the footpaths, creation of open space along with ancillary works.”

“Background and assessment 3.1 This application forms part of a broader Council-led initiative to restore and reinforce the harbour walls to the west and north of Weymouth Pavillion and improve the surrounding public open space. The project requires consent from both Dorset Council, as the Local Planning Authority, and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). This application relates solely to works within the jurisdiction of Dorset Council.”

“The works to restore and reinforce the harbour walls may affect seagrass habitats and protected species of seahorse. Although the majority of these works fall under the jurisdiction of the MMO, the Local Planning Authority must nevertheless be satisfied that appropriate ecological mitigation measures are in place to negate any harm. The application was first presented to the Western and Southern Area Planning Committee for determination in January 2025.”

“This approach was intended to ensure that the planning decision was aligned with marine environmental safeguards, while allowing the Council to proceed with its statutory planning responsibilities. The earlier Committee Reports (January and February 2025) and Update Sheet (January 2025) are included at Appendix 1. The marine licence application was submitted in August 2024 and remains under consideration by the MMO.”

“Planning assessment 7.1 This planning application is for “replacement and strengthening of harbour walls F and G through installation of new sheet pile walls in front of the existing walls, for the portion of the new wall where it is located above the mean low water mark, tie bar extension and ground works, works to the footpaths, creation of open space along with ancillary works.” Accordingly, no works subject to this planning application are below the mean low water…”

“The proposed development is reliant on marine works subject to the parallel marine licencing application. This includes the full extent of the proposed walls save for a relatively short section along Weymouth Beach which sits above the mean high water mark (see Figure 1). The marine works below the mean low water mark have potential to impact marine ecology.”

“Consultations 5.1 The MMO, Natural England and the Council’s Natural Environment Team (NET) have been consulted on the proposal to enable the grant of planning permission prior to agreement of the marine mitigation associated with the marine licencing application.”

“October 2025. Being at a very early stage of preparation, the relevant policies in the draft plan should be accorded very limited weight in decision making. On 25 March 2025 the Environment Agency published new flood zone data (NaFRA2). The data updates flood zones for rivers and sea. Officers have reviewed the updated mapping for the site and note the site still falls within Flood Zones 2 and 3.”

“Decision: That the application be granted subject to the following planning conditions. Updates to the conditions and informatives included within the February 2025 Committee Report are shown in bold for ease of reference:”

“Before the development hereby approved is utilised the following works must have been constructed to the specification of the Planning Authority: i. Footway works as per landscape design layout plan and site sections A1 to C drawing PL-0005 P02. Reason: These specified works are seen as a pre-requisite for allowing the development to proceed, providing the necessary highway infrastructure improvements to mitigate the likely impact of the proposal.”

“The development shall not commence until a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (the HMMP) has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The HMMP shall include: i. A non-technical summary; ii. The roles and responsibilities of the people or organisation(s) delivering the HMMP; iii.”