The Lyme Regis, Bridport (West Bay) and Weymouth Harbour Revision Order 2026

• “harbour operations” include— the marking, lighting or dredging of the harbour or any part of the harbour; the berthing, mooring, storage or dry docking of a vessel; the laying and maintenance of moorings or other similar apparatus in the harbour; the warehousing, sorting, weighing or handling of goods; the movement of goods and vehicles (including parking, designated and prohibited areas, speed limits and removal from the harbour); the towing, or moving of a vessel; the loading or unloading of goods, or embarking or disembarking of passengers; energy generation or storage; the control of use of the harbour by members of the public and other third parties (including movement, conduct, authorised activities and designated and prohibited areas) but not so as to cause an interference with any public right of way;

• (b) omit the definition of “land”.

• (3) In article 4(2) omit “under this Order”.

• (4) In article 5(2)—

• (a) in sub-paragraph (b)(ii) in the final place it occurs omit “and”;

• (b) for sub-paragraph (c) substitute—

(c) acquire land; and

• (c) after sub-paragraph (c) insert—

(d) do all other things which in its opinion are expedient to facilitate the operation, improvement or development of the harbour undertaking.

• (5) In article 11 (charges for services or facilities) for “as it may from time to time” substitute “or in connection with the harbour undertaking as it may”.

• (6) For articles 21, 22 and 23 substitute articles 21, 22 and 23 as set out in Schedule 2 to this Order.

• (7) In article 29 (development of land etc.)—

• (a) in sub-paragraph (1)(b) for “Company” substitute “company”;

• (b) in paragraph (2) for “Council” in the first place it occurs substitute “company”.

• (8) In article 32 (other commercial activities)—

• (a) in sub-paragraph (1)(b) for “Company” substitute “company”;

• (b) in paragraph (2) for “Council” in the first place it occurs substitute “company”.

• (9) In article 34 (moorings)—

• (a) for article 34(1) substitute—

(34) (1) The Council may provide, place, lay down, maintain, retain, renew, use, have and remove moorings within the harbour— (a) on land owned or leased by it; and (b) with the consent in writing of the owner and lessee, on any other land in the harbour.

• (b) in paragraph (8) omit “appropriate”.

• (10) In article 35(2) omit “appropriate”.

• (11) In article 40(2) omit “or body”.

• (12) For article 41(7) substitute—

(7) If the proceeds of sale of anything removed under this article are insufficient to reimburse the Council for the expenses set out in paragraph (6), or there is no sale because the property is unsaleable, the Council may— (a) recover the deficiency; or (b) where there is no sale, the whole of the expenses, from the person who was the owner at the time when the property removed came into the custody of the Council or who was the owner at the time of its abandonment of loss.

• (13) In Schedule 3 (Acts and Orders)—

• (a) for “Piers” substitute “Pier”;

• (b) in the second place it occurs, omit “The”;

• (c) for “(Amendment)” substitute “Amendment”;

• (d) before “Weymouth and Melcombe Regis Corporation Act 1914”, insert “The”;

• (e) omit “and Portland”.

Revocation / Repeal

55

The enactments mentioned in the first and second columns of Schedule 3 (revocation / repeal) are revoked or repealed (as appropriate) to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.

SCHEDULE 1 — PURPOSES FOR WHICH BYELAWS MAY BE MADE

1

Regulating the use of any works and facilities provided by the Council.

2

Preventing damage or injury to any vessel, goods, vehicle, plant, machinery, property, or persons within the harbours and to any aid to navigation used in connection with the harbours.

3

Regulating, preventing or licensing the conduct of all persons in vessels or otherwise within the harbours, not being—

• (a) members of a police force;

• (b) officers or servants of the Crown;

• (c) members of a fire service,

whilst in the exercise of their core duties as such.

4

Regulating the placing, laying down, maintenance, removal and use of moorings within the harbours.

5

Preventing or removing obstructions (including vessels and vehicles) or impediments within the harbours.

6

Regulating the launching of vessels.

7

Regulating or prohibiting the use in the harbours, or onboard any vessel in the harbours, of fires, lights, tobacco or any other substance, equipment, tools or appliances which the Council considers involves a risk of fire, explosion or chemical reaction and for the prevention of smoking.

8

Prohibiting the use of or regulating the use, movement, speed, placing, loading, unloading, driving and parking of vehicles in the harbours and the removal of vehicles from the harbours (including by the Council).

9

Requiring the use of effectual silencers or other similar apparatus, and the general control of noise on vessels in the harbours.

10

Regulating vessels in the harbours and their entry into and departure from the harbours and, without limitation to that scope, for prescribing rules for regulating the speed and manner of navigation or movement and the lights and signals exhibited or made by, or for the benefit of, vessels using, navigating or mooring within the harbours.

11

Regulating the embarkation of persons on to, or their disembarkation from, vessels within the harbours.

12

Prescribing the lights and signals to be exhibited or made—

• (a) by vessels aground within the harbours;

• (b) by vessels or other devices used for marking obstructions within the harbours.

13

Assisting the navigation of vessels within the harbours, at the entrance to any dock or at any wharf, pier or other work.

14

Prohibiting or regulating the discharge by land or sea of any material, substance or thing within the harbours or the approaches to them.

15

Regulating or prohibiting fishing for marine creatures of any type and by whatever means from any pier, jetty, wharf, breakwater or other installation or structure of any kind within the harbours, from any vessel within the harbours or from the foreshore where such fishing interferes with the operation of the harbours or the safety of navigation in the harbours.

16

Regulating or prohibiting bathing, and for securing the protection of bathers, within the harbours.

17

Regulating or prohibiting the use by vehicles of the foreshore within the harbour premises.

18

Regulating the berthing, mooring and anchoring of vessels in any part of the harbours and regulating the careening and beaching of vessels within the harbours.

19

Regulating the use within the harbours of yachts, sailing boats, rowing boats, pleasure craft, windsurfers, kitesurfers, jet bikes, jet kayaks, flyboards, other personal watercraft and other small craft.

20

Regulating or prohibiting the activities within the harbours of divers, surfers, underwater swimmers, water-skiers and other persons engaged in similar recreational pursuits (including those engaged on a commercial basis).

21

Regulating the conveyance to and the laying down at or on the harbour premises of all goods intended for shipment.

22

Regulating the control of animals within the harbours.

23

Preventing the disposal of any waste matter except at places or in a manner prescribed by the Council.

24

Regulating the conveyance, landing, laying down, discharge and removal of goods, gear, equipment, timber, logs, floats, or rafts of timber and other items within the harbours or the harbour premises.

25

Regulating the exercise of the powers vested in the harbour master.

26

The purposes specified in section 83 of the 1847 Act (byelaws may be made for all or any of the purposes herein named).

SCHEDULE 2 — AMENDMENT OF WEYMOUTH HARBOUR REVISION ORDER 2021

Power to make general directions as to the use of the harbour, etc.

21

• (1) The Council may, in accordance with the requirements of article 22 (procedure for giving, amending or revoking general directions), give a general direction for all or any of the following purposes—

• (a) the ease, convenience or safety of navigation;

• (b) the safety of persons;

• (c) the protection of property, flora or fauna;

• (d) the ease, convenience or safety of harbour operations ashore,

within the harbour.

• (2) A direction under this article may apply—

• (a) to all vessels or to a class of vessel;

• (b) to all vehicles or to a class of vehicle;

• (c) to persons designated in the direction;

• (d) to the whole of the harbour or to a part;

• (e) at all times or at certain times or at certain states of the tide,

and every direction must specify the extent of its application in relation to those matters.

• (3) The Council may amend or revoke a direction given under paragraph (1).

• (4) The Council must keep and make available for inspection at the harbour office and on its harbour website a public register of all in force general directions[^f00028].

Procedure for giving, amending or revoking general directions

22

• (1) Subject to paragraph (7), if the Council proposes to give, amend or revoke a general direction, it must—

• (a) give notice in writing of the proposal and a plan of the area over which the proposal applies to the “designated consultees” them being—

• (i) the Chamber of Shipping,

• (ii) the Royal Yachting Association,

• (iii) the Harbour Advisory Group, and

• (iv) such other persons as it considers appropriate for the purposes of the application of this provision;

• (b) on the same date as the notice given in accordance with sub-paragraph (a), place a notice of the proposal on the harbour website and in prominent locations at the harbour and keep them on display for a minimum of six weeks;

• (c) consult with the designated consultees upon the proposal and allow a period of not less than six weeks beginning with the date of the notices given in accordance with sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) for written representations to be made by the designated consultees and any other persons to the Council regarding the proposal;

• (d) have regard to all representations made during consultation;

• (e) give notice in writing to the designated consultees, and to those other persons that have provided a representation, following consultation, as to whether the Council proposes to proceed with the proposal and, if so, specifying whether it is making any modifications to the proposal and its reasons for doing so; and

• (f) if the Council proposes to proceed with the proposal and a designated consultee has made representations against the proposal, invite that designated consultee to confirm in writing whether they maintain their representations against the proposal within 28 days beginning with the date of the notice given in accordance with sub-paragraph (e), or such longer period as the Council may specify.

• (2) Where the Council has complied with paragraph (1), it may proceed to give, amend or revoke a general direction if—

• (a) none of the designated consultees have made representations against the proposal;

• (b) none of the designated consultees which made representations against the proposal have confirmed in writing that they are maintaining their representations against the proposal in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)(f); or

• (c) where a designated consultee has maintained representations against the proposal in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)(f), the requirements of paragraph (3) have been complied with.

• (3) Where a designated consultee has confirmed in writing to the Council that they maintain their representations against the proposal—

• (a) the issue must be referred to an independent person (“the adjudicator”) appointed—

• (i) by agreement between the Council and each designated consultee maintaining representations against the proposal in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)(f) (“the parties”), or

• (ii) failing agreement, by the President of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association on the application of any of the parties;

• (b) so far as is reasonably practicable within 12 weeks beginning with the date of the referral, the adjudicator must—

• (i) provide a reasonable opportunity for the parties to make representations to or be heard by the adjudicator at a hearing, and

• (ii) make a written report to the parties with findings and recommendations on the issue; and

• (c) the Council must decide whether to exercise the power to give, amend or revoke the general direction having regard to the adjudicator’s report (but it is not bound to give effect to any recommendations) and, once it has decided, must give notice in writing to the designated consultees and to any other person that provided a representation of its decision and the reasons for that decision.

• (4) Except as otherwise provided for in paragraph (3), the adjudicator may determine the procedure for the making of representations and the conduct of any hearing.

• (5) The costs incurred by the adjudicator and the parties from a referral under paragraph (3) are to be paid by one or more of the parties as the adjudicator may direct.

• (6) If the Council wishes to exercise the power to give, amend or revoke a general direction in a form materially different from both the form notified to the designated consultees under sub-paragraph (1)(e), and where paragraph (3) applies, the form recommended by the adjudicator under sub-paragraph (3)(b), it must proceed as if the proposal is a new proposal to which paragraph (1) applies.

• (7) Paragraphs (1) to (6) do not apply where in the interests of navigational safety or safety of persons the Council proposes to give or amend a general direction—

• (a) in an emergency; or

• (b) relating to an intended activity or operation within the harbour, if—

• (i) the intended activity or operation is expected to commence within 16 weeks of the Council having been notified or otherwise becoming aware of the intended activity or operation,

• (ii) the intended activity or operation is to last less than 28 days, and

• (iii) the Council considers that the giving or amending of a general direction in relation to the intended activity or operation is required, taking into account other activities or operations in the harbour which may be affected.

• (8) Where the Council proceeds to give or amend a general direction in accordance with paragraph (7), it must—

• (a) as soon as is reasonably practicable give notice of the direction or amendment to those persons who would have been designated consultees had sub-paragraph (1)(a) applied; and

• (b) if the direction or amendment is intended to continue in force for more than 12 weeks, apply the procedure under sub-paragraphs (1)(c) to (f) and paragraphs (2) to (6) to the direction or amendment with the following modifications—

• (i) a reference to the ‘proposal’ in those paragraphs is to be read as a reference to the direction or amendment,

• (ii) in sub-paragraph (1)(c), for “sub-paragraphs (a) and (b)” substitute “sub-paragraph (8)(a)”, and

• (iii) a reference to ‘proceed with the proposal’ or ‘proceed to give’ is to be read as a reference to the Council determining that the direction or amendment should remain in force.

Publication of general directions

23

• (1) Subject to paragraph (4), the Council must publish a notice of the giving, amendment or revocation of a general direction as soon as reasonably practicable on one occasion in a newspaper circulating in the area of the harbour and electronically on the harbour website for the period of 28 days from the date of publication of the notice in the newspaper.

• (2) The notice must state a place at which copies of the general direction may be inspected.

• (3) The Council must display notices of general directions that apply to the harbour premises at prominent locations within the harbour.

• (4) In an emergency, the Council may give notice of the giving or amendment of a general direction in any manner which it considers to be appropriate.

SCHEDULE 3 — REVOCATION / REPEAL

Number	Short Title	Extent of Revocation/Repeal
1584 c. 19(27 Eliz. 1) [^f00029].	An Act for the maintenance of the Peere and Cobb of Lyme Regis, in the County of Dorset.	Whole Act.
1627 c. 5(3 Car. 1).	An Act for the Contynuance and Repeale of divers Statute.	Whole Act.
1 & 2 Geo IV. Cap. xcix.	An Act for improving and maintaining the Harbour, Pier or Cobb, at the Port and Borough of Lyme Regis, in the County of Dorset 1821.	Whole Act.
8 & 9 Geo. 5. Ch. xxxi.	Pier and Harbour Orders Confirmation Act 1918.	The whole of the Bridport Harbour Order 1918.
11 & 12 Geo. 5. Ch. lxvii.	Pier and Harbour Orders Confirmation (No. 2) Act 1921.	The whole of the Bridport Harbour Order 1921.

Signed

Signed by authority of the Marine Management Organisation

Michelle Willis — Acting Chief Executive Officer — An authorised employee of the Marine Management Organisation — 26th January 2026

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Order)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Order, made on the application of Dorset Council, relates to Lyme Regis, Bridport (West Bay) and Weymouth harbours. This Order modernises and consolidates the statutory harbour powers applying in relation to Lyme Regis harbour and Bridport (West Bay) harbour (‘the harbours’), and provides for—

• (1) The jurisdiction (article 4) and general functions (article 5) of the Council as the statutory harbour authority for the harbours and provides clarity on the limits of the harbours (article 6) including plans of the harbour limits and the harbour premises which can be inspected during office hours at the relevant harbour office located at Harbour Masters Office, The Cobb, Lyme Regis DT7 3JJ and Harbour Masters Office, Esplanade, West Bay, Bridport DT6 4HE and available via the relevant harbour website at www.lymeregisharbour.co.uk and www.bridportharbour.co.uk.

• (2) Powers to vest in the Council relating to finances including application (article 7), reserve fund (article 8) and borrowing powers (article 9).

• (3) A modern suite of charging powers (articles 10 to 20) including exemptions from ship, passenger and goods dues (article 18) and prevention of sailing of vessels by the harbour master (article 20).

• (4) Powers of general direction and special direction to the Council and the harbour master (defined in article 2) for the regulation and management of the harbour (articles 21 to 27). A register of all in force general directions may be inspected during office hours at the relevant harbour office and on the relevant harbour website (article 21). This Order creates an offence of failing to comply with special directions or general directions, the penalty for which is a fine on summary conviction not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale (article 25). A defence of due diligence is available to a person charged under article 25 (article 25(2)).

• (5) Modern byelaw powers (articles 28 and 29), including savings for existing directions, byelaws etc. (article 30).

• (6) The establishment of one or more advisory bodies consisting of harbour stakeholders with which the Council are required to consult on material matters (article 31).

• (7) Powers relating to development of land (article 32), power to grant tenancies and dispose of land (article 33), power to appropriate lands and works for particular uses, etc. (article 34), other commercial activities (article 35), and power to delegate functions (article 36).

• (8) Powers relating to moorings (articles 37 to 39), bunkering (article 40), aids to navigation (article 41), power to dredge (article 42), and repairing of landing places (article 43).

• (9) Powers relating to disposal of wrecks (article 44), unserviceable vessels (article 45), removal of obstructions other than vessels (article 46), and boarding of vessels or vehicles (article 47).

• (10) Provisions relating to tidal works (article 48), power of the Council to prosecute or defend legal proceedings (article 49), and notices (article 50).

• (11) Savings for Trinity House (article 51) and Crown Rights (article 52).

• (12) To facilitate that above, the Order repeals and revokes the Acts and Orders (article 55) set out in Schedule 3.

• (13) The Order also modernises the power of general direction granted in respect of Weymouth Harbour in the Weymouth Harbour Revision Order 2021 and makes other minor amendments to that Order (article 54 and Schedule 2). It also provides for a restriction of section 33 of the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847 (‘the Open Port Duty’), in its application to Weymouth harbour so that the duty only applies to vessels up to 24 metres in length (article 53(1)). It also provides that the Open Port Duty does not apply to the area shaded red on the peninsula plan (article 53(2)).

An impact assessment has not been prepared for this Order as there is no, or no significant, impact predicted on businesses, charities, voluntary bodies or the public sector.

An Explanatory Memorandum together with a copy of the harbour limits plans, the harbour premises plans and the peninsula plan is available alongside the instrument on the UK legislation website at www.legislation.gov.uk.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: 1964 c. 40. Section 14 was amended by the Transport Act 1981 (c. 56), section 18 and Schedule 6, paragraphs 2 to 4(1) and 14 and section 40 and Schedule 12 (Part II), by the Transport and Works Act 1992 (c. 42), section 63(1) and Schedule 3, paragraph 1, by S.I. 2006/1177, regulation 2 and the Schedule (Part I), by the Planning Act 2008 (c. 29), section 36 and Schedule 2, paragraphs 8 and 9, by S.I. 2009/1941, article 2 and Schedule 1, paragraph 12 and by the Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48), sections 37 and 46. Section 54 (orders and regulations) was amended by the Transport Act 1981 (c. 56), sections 18 and 40 and Schedules 6 and 12 (Part II) and by the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), section 315 and Schedule 21, paragraphs 1 and 3(2).

[^f00002]: S.I. 2010/674.

[^f00003]: Section 42A was inserted, in relation to England and Wales, by section 315 of, and paragraphs 1 and 3(1) of Schedule 21 to, the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23).

[^f00004]: For the definition of “the Minister”, see section 57(1) of the Harbours Act 1964 (c. 40).

[^f00005]: The Marine Management Organisation was established by section 1 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23). The head office address of the Marine Management Organisation is located at Tyneside House, Skinnerburn Road, Newcastle Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7AR.

[^f00006]: 1847 c. 27.

[^f00007]: 1964 c. 40.

[^f00008]: 1972 c. 70.

[^f00009]: 1995 c. 21.

[^f00010]: S.I. 2021/43.

[^f00011]: The Marine Management Organisation, Tyneside House, Skinnerburn Road, Newcastle Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7AR.

[^f00012]: Dorset Council, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1XJ.

[^f00013]: 2003 c. 21.

[^f00014]: 1990 c. 8.

[^f00015]: 1949 c. 74; section 1 was amended by the Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), Schedule 30.

[^f00016]: The Corporation of Trinity House, Tower Hill, London EC3N 4DH.

[^f00017]: As defined in section 57 (interpretation) of the Harbours Act 1964 (c. 40).

[^f00018]: The Harbours Business Plan may be inspected during office hours at the principal office of the Council (Dorset Council, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1XJ) and via the relevant harbour website at www.lymeregisharbour.co.uk and www.bridportharbour.co.uk.

[^f00019]: Harbour Masters Office, The Cobb, Lyme Regis DT7 3JJ and Harbour Masters Office, Esplanade, West Bay, Bridport DT6 4HE.

[^f00020]: www.lymeregisharbour.co.uk and www.bridportharbour.co.uk.

[^f00021]: The plans may be inspected during office hours at the relevant harbour office located at Harbour Masters Office, The Cobb, Lyme Regis DT7 3JJ and Harbour Masters Office, Esplanade, West Bay, Bridport DT6 4HE and available via the relevant harbour website at www.lymeregisharbour.co.uk and www.bridportharbour.co.uk.

[^f00022]: The public register for all in force general directions may be inspected during office hours at the relevant harbour office located at Harbour Masters Office, The Cobb, Lyme Regis DT7 3JJ and Harbour Masters Office, Esplanade, West Bay, Bridport DT6 4HE and is available via the relevant harbour website at www.lymeregisharbour.co.uk and www.bridportharbour.co.uk.

[^f00023]: The scheme may be inspected via the relevant harbour website at www.lymeregisharbour.co.uk and www.bridportharbour.co.uk.

[^f00024]: 1966 c. 28; section 37(3) was repealed by the Transport and Works Act 1992 (c. 42), Schedule 4 (Part II).

[^f00025]: 2009 c. 23.

[^f00026]: Admiralty Way, Taunton, Somerset TA1 2DN.

[^f00027]: 1978 c. 30.

[^f00028]: The public register of all in force general directions may be inspected during office hours at the harbour office located at Weymouth Harbour Office, 13 Custom House Quay, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8BG and is available via the harbour website at www.weymouth-harbour.co.uk.

[^f00029]: Also listed as private Act c. 1 in the Chronological Table of the Private and Personal Acts.