WEYMOUTH’S landmark former bowling alley is set be demolished after plans were approved.

Plans to knock down the building, in St Nicholas Street, were approved by Dorset Council’s area planning committee today (April 18).

The council said the decision marks the “next step in regeneration plans for Weymouth’s waterside economy”. In January last year, £19.5 million of Levelling Up Funding (LUF) was awarded to Dorset Council.

Weymouth Bowl is one of several key areas in the town selected for development, including the site at North Quay where the former Weymouth and Portland Borough Council offices stood, the peninsula, the piece of land currently used as car parking beyond the Pavilion and land to the west of the marina.

“The unanimous approval today enables Dorset Council to prepare plans for the site’s long-term future use,” a council spokesperson said.

“While plans for the site are drawn up, as a short-term measure the site will be levelled and used as temporary additional car parking.

“This is not the long-term intention for the site.”

Demolition work is expected to begin later this year, they added, with the cost of demolition and creation of a temporary car park set to be around £400,000 – paid for through the Levelling Up funding.