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Work starts on low carbon homes at Osprey Quay on Portland
28 September 2009
Building work starts today on a new low carbon housing scheme on
Portland in Dorset that aims to be an exemplar of green
development.
Sustainable developer ZeroC, in partnership with the South West
RDA (Regional Development Agency), is building 77 low carbon homes
on RDA-owned land at Osprey Quay.
The project is the latest step in the RDA's £40 million
regeneration of the former Royal Navy Air Station where it hopes to
create 1,400 jobs by 2016, leaving a lasting economic legacy. The
RDA bought the site in 2000 and it was subsequently selected as the
venue for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games sailing events.
The ZeroC scheme will include 77 mainly family homes, new
streets and a public square. Nineteen of the units will be high
quality affordable houses for local people, varying in size from
two to four bedrooms. It is being built on the north side of
Victory Road.
The RDA has set aside up to £500,000 from the sale of the site
to invest in improved recreational facilities, the first of which
will be a £200,000 replacement skate park. Work on that will start
in the New Year.
Alison Hatcher, head of regeneration for the South West RDA in
Dorset, said: "This is the latest step in the regeneration of
Osprey Quay and we're delighted that ZeroC is on site. This project
is part of our aspiration to create a wide range of activity at
Osprey Quay while promoting the development of a low carbon
economy."
All of the homes are being built to Level 4 of the Code for
Sustainable Homes, and will reduce carbon emissions by more than
half compared with conventional new build properties.
Kim Slowe, managing director of Dorchester-based Zero C, and a
former Royal Navy helicopter pilot who was based at Portland, said:
"This is a very exciting project for ZeroC and we look forward to
creating a vibrant, contemporary scheme that will set a benchmark
for sustainable development and help meet local housing needs on
Portland."
Mr Slowe said that because the 1.95 hectare site (almost five
acres) is compact and on a slope, it will be necessary for the
construction site to encroach onto part of the neighbouring playing
field during the building work, but that disruption would be kept
to a minimum ensuring part of the playing field is kept open for
public use throughout.
On the scheme's completion in December 2011 there are plans to
use some the RDA's £500,000 to upgrade the playing field to a high
standard and retain it as a permanent sports field and open
space.
Other proposals include new seating and play facilities at
Victoria Gardens and improvements to Osprey Quay Leisure
Centre.
The houses have been designed by the award winning contemporary
architects HTA and are being built by contractor Acheson, the
Dorset-based construction company.
They will include wood pellet boilers, rainwater harvesting
systems, solar water heating, and solar panels to generate
electricity. Residents will also be able to join an electric car
club to reduce emissions even further.
Elsewhere, work continues apace at Osprey Quay:
- A new five-storey £4 million training centre for the Royal
Yachting Association is nearing completion. This is the first part
of a proposed £30 million leisure and tourism development near
Portland Castle known as Castle Court.
- Earlier this year saw the completion of the first phase of the
£24 million 560-berth Portland Marina by marina developers and
operators Dean & Reddyhoff. The project includes a new pub and
restaurant called The Boat that Rocks, which opened in July, a
range of engineering units and offices aimed at marine businesses,
most of which have already been let, plus state-of-the-art
facilities for berth holders and visiting boat owners.
- The RDA is funding work to prepare the 10-acre former Mere Tank
Farm site for future development. The area at the entrance to
Portland is being levelled and essential services like water,
draining and electricity being installed. It will be used to help
host the 2012 Games and afterwards be available for business
use.
- Work is well underway on a new link road and cycleway between
the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and the central
roundabout on Portland Beach. It is on schedule to be completed
next March.
- The RDA is working with a private developer on plans to build
17 small business units at Osprey Quay, with a planning application
expected in the next few months.
Alison Hatcher said: "The RDA's investment has unlocked the
regeneration potential of Osprey Quay and despite the recession we
are seeing tens of millions of pounds being invested, creating
quality jobs and attracting new businesses."
Ends
September 28, 2009
Notes to editors
1. 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.
2. The RDA has earmarked ca £40 million for Osprey Quay and its
investment in new roads, services and flood defences, and new
public access to the waterfront has already attracted significant
private sector investment. The RDA also invested £3.34 million in
the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, helping to lay
the foundations for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
3. ZeroC was the winner of the prestigious What House
'Sustainable Developer of the Year' award in 2008 and is one of the
United Kingdom's foremost sustainable developers. ZeroC is also one
of the developers on the acclaimed Prince of Wales Poundbury
development in Dorchester.
Contact Details
Name Jason Clark
Tel 01208-77900
Email jason.clark@dca-pr.co.uk