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A glimpse into the future at Osprey Quay
14 January 2009
Visitors to the London Boat Show are being given a sneak preview
of a new animated film showing how Osprey Quay on Portland will
look in years to come.
The computer-generated film simulates a helicopter flight over
the former Royal Naval Air Station which is gradually being
transformed into a centre for marine business and leisure and will
host the sailing events for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic
Games.
The film was commissioned by the South West RDA which bought
Osprey Quay in 2000 and is investing £38 million in the area to
create a magnet for leisure and marine industries and a global
centre for sailing excellence.
Alison Hatcher, Head of Regeneration for the RDA in Dorset,
said: "For the first time the sheer scale and ambition of what is
proposed at Osprey Quay has been captured in three dimensions so
that people can see exactly how our investment will leave a lasting
legacy long after 2012 and unlock the area's business potential. We
and our partners will be using the film as a key promotional tool
to build on the £30 million of investment we have already attracted
to Portland, and the Boat Show is the first opportunity."
The film is being used at the London Boat Show, which runs until
January 19, as part of Weymouth & Portland Borough Council's
stand promoting the borough as a 'Centre for Marine Excellence' and
The Place to Work, Live, Learn & Visit.
Cllr Geoff Petherick, brief holder for Economic Development,
said: "The fly-through will undoubtedly be a really useful
communication tool for promoting inward investment. It provides an
opportunity for us to illustrate very clearly just how much the
Osprey Quay development has to offer Weymouth & Portland and
the marine business community."
The film, which was put together by Portland-based Creative
Solutions, starts with an overview of the £30 million Castle Court
tourism and leisure development proposed next to Portland Castle by
the RDA's development partner, the Sutton Harbour Group. The first
phase of the scheme - a £4 million multi-use centre for the Royal
Yachting Association in the build-up to the 2012 Games - will get
underway later this month.
The animation then flies over Castle Court and the proposed
eco-homes development at Officer's Field next to Victoria Square
where developer Zero C has been selected by the RDA to create 70
new low carbon homes. A planning application is due to be submitted
next month and as part of the development the RDA has earmarked
£500,000 to be invested in community facilities.
The film then pans out over Portland Harbour to include Dean
& Reddyhoff's new £21 million 600-berth Portland Marina, which
will form part of the venue for hosting the 2012 Games.
Construction of the marina has been underway since October 2007 and
the 875-metre breakwater was completed in August 2008. It will
welcome its first berth holders in April, with almost half the 300
berths available this year already taken.
On shore, work is progressing on a new marina facilities
building, a bar and restaurant and 15 new marine business/retail
units and five large commercial units, with all the major
structural work complete. Most of the commercial space has already
been provisionally let and is expected to support around 150 jobs
once occupied.
The film also includes Sunseeker's yacht production facility
which the company occupied in 2007, and the Weymouth and Portland
National Sailing Academy, in which the RDA originally invested
£3.34 million.
The Academy recently celebrated being the first Olympic venue to
be completed following an investment by the Olympic Delivery
Authority in a new permanent 250m slipway and new race-boat
parking, lifting and mooring facilities.
The animated film can be viewed at:www.creativesolutions-uk.com
Ends
For more information contact:
Jason Clark, Deborah Clark Associates
Tel: 01208-77900
Mobile: 07980-834368
jason@dca-pr.co.uk
Notes to Editors
1) The South West RDA leads the development of a sustainable
economy, investing to unlock the region's business potential. It is
helping companies respond to the economic crisis and charts a
course for recovery. The RDA is developing or expanding initiatives
which include: establishing a Business Loan Fund; coordinating the
response to large companies in difficulty; preparing for economic
recovery.
2) The South West RDA bought Osprey Quay on Portland in Dorset
in 2000 following the closure of the Royal Navy Air Station. The
aim was to secure the economic future of Portland by having a wide
range of leisure and employment uses.
3) The RDA has earmarked £38 million for Osprey Quay and its
investment in new roads, services and flood defences, and new
public access to the waterfront has already attracted more than £30
million of private sector investment creating more than 200 new
jobs.
4) The RDA invested £3.34 million in the Weymouth and Portland
National Sailing Academy, helping to lay the foundations for the
2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
5) The RDA has also earmarked £6.6 million to transform Weymouth
seafront in time for the 2012 Games.
Contact Details
Name Jason Clark
Tel 01208-77900
Email jason@dca-pr.co.uk