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(see transition and closure section).
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Go-ahead for £5m tank farm project on Portland
09 January 2009
The transformation of Osprey Quay on Portland has taken another
step forward with planning approval for a £5 million project to
redevelop the former oil tank farm into employment space.
The 10-acre Mere Tank Farm site occupies a prominent position at
the entrance to Portland and was cleared last year having been
bought by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council from Portland Port
using funding from the South West RDA.
The council this week gave planning approval for a range of
improvements on the site that will pave the way for future
employment space after the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The South West RDA is investing £5 million in the project, which
will be managed by the council.
Alison Hatcher, Head of Regeneration at the South West RDA,
said: "We're investing £38 million in Osprey Quay to transform it
into a hub of marine business and leisure activity and we're
delighted that the tank farm proposals can go ahead. This is an
important site for the 2012 Games and longer term will be home to
hundreds of jobs, so our investment is unlocking its business
potential."
Councillor Peter Farrell, Chair of the Borough Council's
Planning Committee, said: "The Committee was unanimous in its
support for the planning application, seeing it as a further step
in the regeneration of Osprey Quay. The two stage approach to using
the site, initially for the Games and essential facilities, and
then after 2012 for new business development, will add to the
creation of more potential new jobs on Portland, meeting the needs
of the Borough as a whole."
Work will include major earthworks to fill and level the site,
drainage and other services to allow for future employment
development. There will be a new link road and cycleway between the
Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and the central
roundabout on Portland Beach, car/boat parking and boat maintenance
area for the sailing academy, and a temporary overflow car
park.
The site has been earmarked to support the staging of the
sailing events for the 2012 Games and for test events in 2010 and
2011. After the Games the council and the RDA will submit a
planning application to create a range of new workspace potentially
supporting hundreds of jobs.
Work on site is expected to begin in March.
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