Lyme Regis residents petition to save Chinese Pavilion

The Chinese Pavilion in Langmoor Gardens is under threat after Lyme Regis Town Council voted to demolish the ‘cherished’ structure.

The landmark offers people a place to sit and take in the breath-taking views across Lyme Regis, its beaches and the Cobb.

The decision was made to demolish the pavilion by Lyme Regis Town Council due to 'drunkenness, signs of drug taking, and the urinating and defecation in public, at times during the day.'

A spokesperson for the petition said: “This decision has left our community devastated. Not only does it rob us of a treasured piece of our town's character, but it also threatens tourism - an essential component of our local economy.

“We urge you to reconsider this decision that will have far-reaching implications for both our cultural heritage and economic vitality. And for those of us who want to just stop a-while and admire the view.”

However, petition creator, Janette Edmonds has new hope that the beloved structure can be saved.

She said: “It is a much-loved landmark that means a lot to the town; however, we are hopeful that consultations with Lyme Regis Town Council will be optimistic.”

At present, the petition on change.org has more than 600 signatures.

Local resident John Parris is also upset that the site could be demolished.

He said: “A lot of people didn’t seem to know anything about the decision until I had put it on Facebook.

“They are knocking it down because of misuse which is disgusting so they are getting rid of the problem that way

“I have worked for the council in the evenings for the last two summers and my last job of the day was locking the lavatories so I suggested at the time why don’t they put up gates and I would lock them as well, but instead they took all the windows out and the people that use the pavilion put clingfilm up to keep warm.”

Mr Parris explained that he will often sit down the Cobb and look up at Langmoor Gardens where the the pavilion is ‘right in the middle’ which he described as ‘beautiful.’

Views from Langmoor Gardens (Image: Hollie Carr)

He added: “What are they going to put there in its place. It’s been there for thirty or forty years.”

Cllr Brian Larcombe, chairman of the Town Management and Highways Committee, said the structure was put in place in the mid-2000s and is not actually a heritage asset.

“The council is aware of some reaction on social media concerning our removal of a gazebo in Langmoor Gardens," he said. 

“This is a council decision, which has been debated and voted on twice. To clarify, the gazebo was constructed during the phase two coastal protection works during the mid-2000s and is not a heritage asset.

“The following will hopefully give background to the circumstances that some may not fully appreciate but have necessitated its removal.

“There has been reference to homelessness on social media.

“The council naturally recognises the need to help homelessness, and while Lyme doesn't have the cases many other larger places in the UK have, and while each are individual, they do need support to address the circumstances which sometimes require specialist agency experience and resources.

“Lyme Regis Town Council, like other small towns of parish status, don't have the means or necessary experience to resolve homelessness, other than directing anyone needing social support to Dorset Council as the principal authority who have the resources and a statutory responsibility for it.

“The gazebo in Langmoor Gardens is not a temporary or permanent solution to any homelessness case and the circumstances that can surround the support needed. 

“The council is aware of the disgusting state the gazebo suffers with drunkenness and signs of drug taking, and the urinating and defecation in public, at times during the day, when our public toilets are open. It is completely unacceptable and inexcusable. The police have been unable to deal with this over the last few years.

“We are therefore simply removing the structure but leaving the benches it contains in position, so the seating remains, along with the other 200 benches we have in the gardens and along the seafront and in other places around the town for public recreation and benefit.”

To find out more about the petition, visit: https://www.change.org/p/prevent-the-demolition-of-the-chinese-pavilion-in-langmoor-gardens-lyme-regis?source_location=search.