The discovery of a tiny sea creature has caused chaos for a major project in a UK seaside town. Dorset Council was due to start essential works on the harbour walls at Weymouth Peninsula this autumn.
But seahorses moving into the area have led to plans being delayed. As a protected species, it is illegal to disturb a seahorse. They live along the southern coast in shallow, sheltered waters and can be found in estuaries and in seagrass meadows. They come to the seagrass in Weymouth in the summer to breed. Because of this, work on the walls must wait until the seahorses have moved back into deeper waters.
Ahead of the repair works on the harbour walls, which are in a critical condition, contractors and machinery are starting to accumulate in a harbour-side car park. The work was due to start in the autumn and be finished by autumn next year.
Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Place Services, Cllr Jon Andrews, said: “Balancing economic progress with protecting what makes Dorset special isn’t always easy, but it’s a challenge we are determined to meet.
“Repairing and replacing the harbour walls around the peninsula is a crucial investment in Weymouth’s future. The peninsula is a cherished part of the community and an important historic and economic asset, which is vital that we protect from predicted sea level rises.
“Replacing the harbour walls will protect the peninsula for many decades and allow this to become a key development site as part of our ambition to regenerate Weymouth.
“As part of our nature recovery work, we are already making efforts to protect habitats and rare species from decline. Seahorses are special creatures and it’s right that we do what we can to avoid disturbing them during their breeding season.
”Contractors and their machinery will begin arriving and setting up in the car park area on the peninsula during the end of the summer.”
