Event Detail : 15 April 2008

Osprey Quay Olympic Development

Mr Bruce Voss of South West of England Regional Development Agency gave the forum a talk and presentation on the agency’s flagship project - Osprey Quay at Portland, Weymouth. 

Mr Voss explained that this project involves the development of the former Royal Naval Air Station at Portland, which is linked to the mainland by Chesil Beach.  The 80 acre site, which is one of the UK’s most sensitive environmental settings, was a Royal Naval Air Station until 1999 when 4,500 jobs were lost by the closure of the Flag Officer Training Air Base and Research Station.  The RDA purchased the site in 2000 from Crown Estates 

 

Mr Voss described the economic and social problems of the area as well as the poor accessibility to the site and the weak property market.  He explained that an objective of this project is, therefore, to replace 600 jobs, to support business productivity and reposition the economy of the local area at the same time as exploiting the unique waterfront setting.

 

He described the constraints to these objectives including:

 
  • the fact that the site is one of those most at risk of flooding in the South West; 
  • the visual blight of the large oil tanks and the industrial character of the existing buildings; 
  • the fact that the site is part of a sensitive marine environment - premier league in the range; 
  • the Coastguard facility had to be retained;
  • the site is open to the Atlantic and therefore very windy in nature
 

and how most of these had been dealt with.  Flood protection has been put in place around the harbour in the form of flood bunding, the oil tanks were demolished in 2003 and the Coastguard have been provided with 13 acres for use by their helicopters.  He confirmed that all buildings will need to be robust to cope with the windy conditions.

 

Mr Voss told the forum how outline planning permission had been granted for the port in 2002 but the masterplan had to be refreshed in 2006, post the successful Olympic bid, and the marina scaled up.  Further land was purchased to create the Olympic sailing venue and create the National Sailing Academy which will host the sailing events for the 2012 Olympics.  The reclamation of 5 acres of seabed & physical enhancement was necessary to provide world class sailing facilities.  The remainder of the plan includes provision for a 600 birth marina; a business park at the core of the site providing a leading centre for marine industries; and an enclosed and sheltered square housing a hotel; a pub; 120 residential units (including affordable housing); accommodation for the National Sailing Team and a food store.

 

The expectation is that the site will attract 20,000 visitors as it not only provides open space but has a cycleway joining into the South West coastal path.

 

Mr Voss described the long term aim as being to play a strong stewardship role in the development of the area.  The project has already involved a softening up of the landscape using local stone and the use of strong contemporary architecture with reference to the Naval air station (ie. the colour of the buildings, the roof design, the cladding types).  SWRDA are working with ROK, Sutton Harbour and several other developers and occupiers to meet this aim.  To this end all leases are long leases with strong control elements incorporated to meet the aims of the stewardship role.

 

Current occupiers include Sunseeker, who purchased an 11 acre plot from Luhrs Marine – a US company.  Sunseeker are currently based in Poole but were bursting at the seams and needed space to expand.  The Osprey Quay operation employs 100 staff and the plan is to develop facilities for super yachts.

 

The National Sailing Academy is owned by a Trust which is funded by some public money.  The Academy will be utilised as an event centre and will be niche for large events whilst  encouraging participation in sailing generally. The Olympic squad will be based there to train for the Olympics.

 

In response to a question from the forum, Mr Voss estimated that the cost to the taxpayer of Osprey Quay will be £18-20 million over it’s lifetime.