Weymouth and Portland Borough Council (WPBC) has been successful in its legal battle with a developer that failed to start work on the multi-million pound redevelopment of Weymouth Pavilion in Dorset.

Howard Holdings, which was selected from a shortlist of three companies as the preferred developer for the pavilion scheme, was issued with a winding-up order by the High Court on 19 March. WPBC said that it had no option but to seek legal action after Howard Holdings failed to submit a planning application for the project, while also offering no response to a demand issued by the council last November for £23,000 owed in consultant's fees.

Howard Legg, WPBC brief holder for partnership and special projects, said: "We regret that we have had to pursue Howard Holdings Weymouth through the courts, but our first duty is to protect the assets of Weymouth and Portland's residents. "The decision of the court takes us a step closer to clarifying the future of the site. We are still completely committed to the development of the pavilion site, and will continue to seek a viable and successful development."

The council is now set to inform the developer's backer, Europa, that it intends to terminate the existing development agreement, with WPBC officials set to meet in July to discuss future proposals for Weymouth Pavilion. However, Europa will be given three months to decide whether it wishes to take up the option of taking over the existing development plans for the Pavilion, which include a new ferry terminal facility, a new World Heritage visitor centre, a 290-berth marina and a new public pier, as well as a four-star, 140-bedroom hotel.