COUNCILLORS have rejected an application for a food retail unit on the harbourside.

It came after several residents spoke out at the borough council’s planning and traffic committee meeting yesterday saying the application was out of keeping with the historic area.

They blasted the proposed development as ‘tacky’ and ‘low-grade’ and suggested it would spoil the overall look of the harbourside.

The accusations were rejected by developer David Bennett, who said the unit was ‘definitely not cheap or tacky’ but an ‘exciting new concept’ and would offer visitors to the town a new food experience as well as providing employment.

The unit was proposed for the council-owned pedestrian area known as the Cargo Stage opposite the junction with Pilgrim’s Way.Ward councillors Joy Stanley and Francis Drake also spoke out against the proposal.

The council received 24 letters of objection to the development.

Councillors were split on the proposal, with a motion to allow the development on a temporary basis for three years defeated. The committee then voted six to three in favour of rejecting the development.

Cllr Paul Kimber said Weymouth harbourside is moving into a ‘new era’.

“The harbour is going to undergo quite a lot of changes. It’s no secret we have lost Condor and we have to think about moving into another era and, for me, the leisure industry is where it’s going to go. If we don’t try these things we will never know.”

But Cllr Christine James said it would be ‘contentious’ to grant any planning applications for developments along the harbourside until the council’s town centre masterplan is complete.

She added: “I think there’s an important natural gap through the buildings to the harbour, and I think to put something in front of it is wrong. I’m not averse to new businesses but it needs to be done when we have done the town centre masterplan.”

Chairing the meeting, Cllr Mark Tewkesbury said he had concerns over the loss of public amenity space.

He added: “This structure will obstruct safe passage through that area. I’m not against putting something there but there is an issue of the space it’s going to take up.”