MUTLI-MILLION plans to transform derelict land in Weymouth into a retail park have taken a step closer to reality – with construction expected to begin later this year.

The Weymouth Gateway scheme, by LondonMetric Property and Avercet, will include three ‘big box’ retail warehouse units, two restaurants or coffee shops. It will transform undeveloped land to the east of Mercery Road, opposite the Aldi supermarket.

Despite some concerns about a lack of high-quality jobs, traffic and impact on the town centre, councillors at Dorset Council voted 11-1 in favour of the development in March.

The retail development is set to create hundreds of jobs and provide a major boost to Weymouth’s economy. It is expected to generate around £5 million and £6m in business rates every year.

Dorset Echo: What the retail park in Weymouth will look like What the retail park in Weymouth will look like

The scheme has taken another step forward after the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, upheld Dorset Council’s decision to approve the planning application.

The application had been referred to the Secretary of State following Dorset Council Planning Committee’s approval, as is standard practice when a development requires a change of allocated use – in this case from 100 per cent employment to a mix of retail and employment use.

Chris News, director of Avercet, said: “We’re delighted with this endorsement of our proposals, which will revitalise a longstanding brownfield site to deliver much-need jobs, investment and vitality at the town’s gateway.

“We look forward to progressing these plans.”

Dorset Echo: An aerial sketch of the retail park. An aerial sketch of the retail park.

Official planning permission will now be issued by Dorset Council, subject to the Section 106 agreement being signed which will see the applicants contribute approximately £145,000 towards improvements of the local Highways and cycle route network, as part of the local improvements.

Dorset Echo understands that construction aims to begin in the final quarter of 2021. The retail park will likely take 18 months to construct.

According to the developers, the new retail park would see Dunelm, B&M Homestore, McDonald’s and a Costa Coffee drive-through open on the site, subject to planning permission.

Dorset Echo: The multi-million retail park will provide a boost to local economy and create hundreds of jobs, bosses sayThe multi-million retail park will provide a boost to local economy and create hundreds of jobs, bosses say

The Weymouth Gateway scheme off Mercery Road will bring new stores to the area but also create 280 jobs, as well as 50 construction roles and 50 local jobs.