Frontage canopies at Kika Beach Club, Weymouth

“Application Number: P/LBC/2025/02899 Webpage: https://planning.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/ Site address: Kika Beach Club 52-53 The Esplanade Weymouth DT4 8DG Proposal: Retain canopies and associated works to frontage of Kika Beach Club for use within the business premises…”

“Description of development 5.1 Retain canopies and associated works to frontage of Kika Beach Club for use within the business premises. The canopies are physically attached to the listed building and as such require listed building consent.”

“Description of site 4.1 The application site is located fronting onto The Esplanade in Weymouth Town Centre and is approximately 30m southeast of the highway junction with New Street. This is a secondary shopping frontage area of Weymouth's Esplanade which is predominantly characterised by the historic Georgian period seafront.”

“Background and relevant planning history 6.1 Members attention is drawn to the live applications no. P/LBC/2025/01317 & P/FUL/2025/01316 in relation to the adjoining 54-55 The Esplanade (known as The Nook Cocktail Club) premises which propose to retain canopies and associated works to frontage of The Nook Cocktail Club for use within the business premises. The relevant planning history for the application site is set out below. Application no.”

“List of constraints Within the Weymouth Town Centre Conservation Area (statutory duty to preserve or enhance the significance of heritage assets under the Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990).”

“Conclusion 15.1 The application is considered to be unacceptable in heritage impact terms, given the uncharacteristic design to the site and the area, which is considered to result in significant less than substantial harm to the designated heritage assets, and the level of harm is not outweighed by public benefits and is without convincing justification.”

“Recommendation 16.1 Refuse listed building consent for the reason set out below: The proposed development would result in significant less than substantial harm to the heritage significance of the listed buildings within the application site, the Weymouth Town Centre Conservation Area and less than substantial harm to the setting of the adjacent listed buildings.”

“Consultees 1. Dorset Council Conservation Officer It is concluded that the proposal due to its clutter, concealment of views of the listed buildings, would detrimentally impact the architectural significance of the listed buildings, the setting of neighbouring listed buildings and the special character and local distinctiveness of the Weymouth Town Centre Conservation Area.”

“Furthermore, the proposal adds visual clutter and a dense design which creates harm to the wider contribution made to the street scene and the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. The character and appearance of the Weymouth Town Conservation Area is defined by its historic buildings, traditional materials, and cohesive historic townscape.”

“Representations received Weymouth Civic Society We have concerns about these proposals, which would result in further additions to the barriers around the forecourts, effectively enclosing the space at the frontage, and affecting the setting of this historic Georgian terrace of buildings. We would ask that consideration is given to the particular context of these two properties, immediately adjacent to 51 The Esplanade (Harveys), and the effect on its setting.”

“Impact on heritage assets Weymouth Town Centre Conservation Area (The Esplanade sub area)(CA) 14.7 The character and appearance of the CA is defined by its historic buildings, traditional materials, and cohesive historic townscape. The introduction of non-traditional designed canopies and structures would be incongruous with these defining characteristics of the CA.”

“It is considered the development appears as visual clutter that is discordant in design to the heritage setting and adversely alters, disrupts and erodes the setting of the designated heritage assets. Moreover, the canopies and structures located to the front of the site, significantly obscure and disrupt views of the ground floor of the buildings.”

“Summary of Recommendation: Refuse. Decision: That listed building consent be refused for the following reason: The proposed development would result in significant less than substantial harm to the heritage significance of the listed buildings within the application site, the Weymouth Town Centre Conservation Area and less than substantial harm to the setting of the adjacent listed buildings.”