Public help sought in Lyme's £1.25m seafront shelter scheme (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Public help sought in Lyme's £1.25m seafront shelter scheme

10:30am Thursday 18th June 2009

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OFFICIALS planning the £1.25 million regeneration of Lyme’s seafront shelters are hoping a wave of public support will boost their funding bid.

They are urging people to register their backing for the project with West Dorset District Council to help secure up to £500,000 in vital cash aid. A formal planning application for the Marine Parade works was lodged this week.

If approved it is hoped to secure £0.5million in grants from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) Sea Change programme.

The remaining £750,000 will come from the town council’s own reserves and some borrowing.

To help the funding bid the Shelters Regeneration Working Group wants residents to write to the district council supporting the planning application.

This week they have been handing out leaflets to local people seeking their support.

It reads: “The revised scheme for restoring the shelters to life, as shown in the display that can now be seen at the shelters or on the town council website, has been adopted by the town council and has now started the formal planning application process.

“We are working hard on an application for funding from ‘Sea Change’ – a grant facility for regenerating seaside towns. Its closing date is June 30. It will be very competitive, as this is the last year of its availability.

“The town’s chances of winning this funding will be helped if we are able to show that there is good local support for the scheme, evidenced by comments sent to West Dorset District Council as part of the normal planning application process.

“Please can you help the town in its quest for funding by sending a brief letter to West Dorset expressing your support for the planning application. This letter should be about the merits of the scheme and the advantages it can bring to Lyme Regis.”

Officials say the letters should be addressed to The Development Services Manager, West Dorset District Council, 58/60 High West St, Dorchester, DT1 1UZ and refer to Planning Reference Number 1/D/09/000960 (Lyme Regis Marine Parade Shelters). Alternatively, people can submit comments online via WDDC’s planning web site or by email to planning@westdorset-dc.gov.uk The official closing date for comments is several weeks ahead. But expressions of support must reach West Dorset no later than Tuesday, June 23.

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