9:45am Monday 5th May 2008
By Hilda Swinney
HUNDREDS of people turned out to try to save Officers Field on Portland from being developed.
And a petition to the South West Regional Development Agency to think again about their plans to build more than 50 homes on the former HMS Osprey site now has more than 1,500 signatures.
Councillors, local groups and other organisations have been fighting to retain the field -the only large, flat green space in Underhill - for the community.
The strength of feeling was shown yesterday when hundreds turned out for mayor Tim Munro's day of action - despite strong winds and heavy rain.
Mr Munro said he was overwhelmed' at the public's response.
He added: "It was really humbling people came out. It must have been one of the worst spots to be on a day of such relentless wind and rain. It was amazing just how many people braved the elements to register support."
Mr Munro said: "If public opinion made a difference Officers Field would be retained tomorrow because the strength of opposition must be very clear to SWRDA. Support for our campaign is just growing and growing and this petition is now one of the biggest the island has ever seen."
He said Prince Charles and Princess Anne have wished the campaign success, but he was disappointed' Olympic chief Lord Coe had not even acknowledged a letter he sent him.
Mr Munro said the petition would be sent to Lord Coe and South Dorset MP Jim Knight.
He added: "We are sending it to Lord Coe because, in a roundabout way, the field is being sacrificed for the Olympics because its sale will help fund development of the National Sailing Centre.
"Everyone on Portland wants the field to stay. We don't want an Olympic legacy of 55 houses. We want the field because it will do so much more good for the community.
"If the field is lost it will not do much for boosting Olympic support on the island."
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