COUNCILLORS ignored a public backlash and controversially agreed to move an advertising structure for the Marine Theatre.

Members of Lyme Regis Town Council voted to move the hexagonal rotunda from Bell Cliff Walk and find an alternative site in consultation with the Marine Theatre – at a hostile meeting in front of a packed public gallery at the Guildhall.

Councillors agreed to remove the rotunda in June, before a rescission notice was signed by six members last month, with a u-turn agreed by the full council – bringing the issue back onto last night’s agenda.

After almost nine months of discussion and a stack of paperwork for council staff, councillors finally ended the rotunda debate - despite a passionate plea from members of the public speaking in the public forum, to save the rotunda.

John Gooden said the council had made “an unnecessary decision in undue haste to solve a non-existent problem” in initially agreeing to remove the rotunda.

He added: “Allow the council to concentrate on more important issues facing the town.”

Peter Wiles, who started a petition that gained the support of 482 signatures, spoke out that he was “surprised by the amount of love” for the rotunda and that support for the campaign had “grown spontaneously”.

Cllr Cheryl Reynolds hit out against online comments made about the debate and criticised the theatre for pursuing the issue after the financial support it has received form the authority.

She said: “I have seen a new-found pettiness that can be soul destroying.

“I truly believe that in the summer, this area was unacceptable and there have been other good places that have been suggested for the rotunda to go.

“It amazes me that the theatre can bite the hand that feeds it.”

Cllr Jeff Scowen, who has campaigned for the rotunda to remain and even suggested he would tie himself to the structure if it is removed, said there was no evidence that it caused congestion.

But Cllr Brian Larcombe, asked for a “reality check” and questioned the importance of the rotunda to the Marine Theatre.

He said: “It is an undeniable, indisputable fact that there is congestion in that place.

“The idea that this rotunda is the pivot point to the theatre’s footfall is nonsense – get real. If the theatre struggles and fails, it will be because of something more fundamental."

He added: “I am sorry to say that if this is the view held, then there is something wrong with the vision of the theatre.”

Cllr Michaela Ellis, proposed the rotunda was left in its current position.

She said: “I believe from what we have heard, unless we can find a better place for it, we should be leaving it where it is.

“We have never ever had any costings on how much it is going to cost. Let’s draw a line and leave it where it is, unless we can find a better site for it.”

But Cllr Ellis’ proposal was lost after only gaining the support of four councillors. After two counter proposals were dropped, including Cllr Daryl Turner’s suggestion it is left for 12 months while congestion is monitored, mayor of Lyme Regis Cllr Owen Lovell stepped in – stating the debate had taken up an “enormous amount time”.

He said: “I’m going to suggest to the council that maybe we move the rotunda and we put six months times limit on it.

“It will only come back and have the same argument.”

Councillors agreed to remove the rotunda and work with the theatre to find an alternative site for the structure within six months.