£20 Million Investment Sparks New Pride in Littlemoor

Littlemoor, Dorset – A wave of investment and regeneration is putting Littlemoor firmly on the map, with more than £20 million being channelled into infrastructure, housing, and community development. Local leaders say the changes could mark a turning point for the area, bringing jobs, improved facilities, and a renewed sense of “pride in place.”

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) recently confirmed a £20 million upgrade to Dorset’s electricity infrastructure, including the Chickerell substation near Weymouth, which will benefit thousands of homes and businesses across the region. The upgrade is expected to boost capacity, improve reliability, and pave the way for future housing and commercial growth.

At the same time, plans for up to 500 new homes north of Littlemoor Road have been approved, alongside proposals for a local centre, care home, hotel, and employment space. The multi-million-pound development will transform unused land on the edge of the community into a thriving new neighbourhood.

This comes as Weymouth town centre is also set for a £19.5 million regeneration programme, aimed at revitalising public spaces, improving the harbour, and attracting more visitors and investment. While centred on the town, the project is expected to boost the wider economy, with positive knock-on effects for communities like Littlemoor.

Local councillors say these combined efforts are in line with the government’s new Pride in Place Strategy, which seeks to restore confidence and pride in communities across the country.

A Vital Voice From Within: Louie O’Leary Speaks Out

Councillor Louie O’Leary, who represents Littlemoor & Preston as a Conservative, has raised concerns over how the rollout of these plans has been managed and communicated. He stated:

> “The first any of the elected councillors (or myself as community centre chairman) for Littlemoor have heard of this is from a video made by his taxpayer-funded staff. He won’t even come to residents’ meetings he’s been invited to discussing massive housing plans for Littlemoor and Preston being forced on us by his government. I have to share this as he bans commenting on his posts.”

O’Leary’s remarks underscore tensions between grassroots community groups and the decision-making processes driven by external planners and central government mandates.

Other local residents have claimed that he has not been to houses to discuss these plans even when Lloyd Hatton had mentioned in a video that he has.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16CtNtyKP2/ – Video

Residents will begin to see the benefits over the coming months, with infrastructure works already underway and the first phases of development expected to follow.

If delivered as promised, the £20 million investment could signal the start of a new chapter for Littlemoor — one rooted in opportunity, pride, and progress.