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Weymouth's Jurassic Skyline tower could become a permanent fixture of the resort

Weymouth

Operator and leisure giant Merlin Entertainments has submitted plans to amend the attraction’s current planning permission which is due to expire on November 30 this year, when the tower would be taken down.

Now Weymouth and Portland Borough Council is considering the Section 73 application which, if approved, will see the attraction stay indefinitely in Weymouth .

A spokesman for Merlin Entertainments said: “Jurassic Skyline has been a popular addition to the resort’s attractions, providing both local residents and visitors with a breath-taking perspective of Weymouth, Portland and the world-famous Jurassic Coast.


“We’re currently exploring plans for the attraction in 2018 and beyond alongside other developments to the peninsula and as part of this have submitted an application to vary conditions within the existing planning permission.”

The application was submitted just days before an incident in which 14 people, including an 11-month-old baby, had to be airlifted from the tower by a coastguard helicopter after being stuck for eight hours when it broke down on September 5.

Jurassic Skyline closed for more than six weeks following the incident whilst the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Merlin Entertainments investigated the cause of the breakdown. It reopened on October 22.

A report supporting the planning application says: “The tower has proved a popular tourist attraction.

We are aware of the council’s medium to long term aspirations for the regeneration of the peninsula area. The tower has helped to raise the profile of the borough as a visitor destination.”

Jurassic Skyline, formerly known as Weymouth Sea Life Tower, was built in 2012 ahead of the Olympics.

It offers 360 degree panoramic views of the coasts of Weymouth, Portland, Lulworth and beyond.