Seafront club changes

A Weymouth seafront venue has asked approval for canopies and other additions to the business within the town’s Conservation Area.

A Weymouth seafront venue has asked approval for canopies and other additions to the business within the town’s Conservation Area.

The Kika Beach Club at 52-53 The Esplanade has lodged two planning applications for proposed canopies, planters and associated signage to the frontage of the business premises.

A planning agent, acting for the business, says “The proposals are deliberately small-scale and fully reversible, with interventions designed to avoid harm to historic fabric… the planters are non-invasive and will not obscure architectural detailing or key sightlines along the Esplanade. Signage remains subordinate in scale and will not compete with principal elevations or roof forms. Overall, the works are anticipated to have a neutral to slightly positive impact on the building’s setting by enhancing legibility, improving the public interface, and supporting active use of the frontage while maintaining important views.”

The proposals are listed under planning application P/FUL/2026/03357 and listed building consent application P/LBC/2026/03356.

A similar application for the site in 2025 was refused by planners with the claim that the changes would cause ‘harm’ to the heritage significance of the listed buildings, the Weymouth Town Centre Conservation Area and less than substantial harm to the setting of the adjacent listed buildings.

Weymouth Civic Society was among the objectors to the earlier scheme saying it would lead to barriers around the forecourts, effectively enclosing the space at the frontage, and affecting the setting of this historic Georgian terrace of buildings.