Making waves to test impact of new marina
10:37am Thursday 15th May 2008
Comments (21)SCIENTISTS have been making waves as part of a study into the impact of Weymouth's new marina.
Key players in the future of Weymouth's Pavilion redevelopment checked out a working model of the proposed marina at a research centre in Oxfordshire.
Weymouth and Portland Borough councillors joined representatives from the town's sailing clubs, the RNLI and Weymouth Civic Society to inspect the 1:50 scale model of the marina at HR Wallingford's hydraulics research centre.
Researchers have been undertaking a series of tests on the marina model to investigate the impact on wave patterns, the town's beach and other effects of the development.
The team at HR Wallingford will collate the results in a report to be published next month.
Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's spokesman for environment and sustainability Councillor Doug Hollings said: "It was fascinating to see the model in action.
"They generate wave action and sea level heights then take precise measurements.
"There are instruments all round the model which measure the height of the water and height of the waves under extreme conditions.
"The scientists then look at the results and compare them with the mathematically compiled model."
Coun Hollings said that, so far, the model shows the impact of the 290-berth marina is minimal, apart from in one or two small areas.
These include around Weymouth Rowing Club at Nothe Parade where the new marina did result in an increase in the height of the waves.
Coun Hollings said: "We discussed ways of minimising these problems and the scientists are going to look at that with the model.
"We look forward to seeing the final results in the full report but in general it seems to suggest that, even under extreme conditions, there were no major problems."
Weymouth RNLI's Captain John Harvey said: "It was a very interesting day and I was very grateful to be given the opportunity to visit the centre.
"I look forward to seeing the final results of the research."
David Joy represented Weymouth Civic Society on the visit and reported back to the group.
He raised concerns over the value of such a small-scale model, which were echoed by society president Pru Bollam.
Mrs Bollam said: "Such a model cannot interpret the full-scale real life situation of the wave conditions and effects on the seabed and drifting of the sand. It would be unsustainable to end up with large volumes of sand, or even rubbish, drifting from the harbour. It is the Weymouth Civic Society's opinion that such a large marina is not necessary in this location."
Your Say YourThisisdorset
Positron, Rodwell says...
12:19pm Thu 15 May 08
I can understand from HH's point of view, it would be a very good selling point for their housing estate, but whether boat owners would want to leave their expensive boats and yachts in such an exposed area I don't know.
QinetiQ seem to have the right location; sheltered, easily accessible and unobtrusive.
Our council are happily digging themselves into a deeper and deeper hole with this thing, now their only course of action is, by the sound of it, to keep saying yes, yes, yes to their partners' inflated requests.
maximus, Weymouth says...
12:55pm Thu 15 May 08
A drop of 10% would knock more than £20,000 off the value of the average house. Are we likely to see HH come along with major downgrades to the 'freebies' on offer (i.e Pavilion re-vamp) 'due to unforeseeable circumstances'?
John Holmes, Weymouth says...
3:04pm Thu 15 May 08
Instead of complaining all the time why not do something positive, or heaven forbid, encourage something for once? Is that too hard for you Grumpy Old Men?
anneofportland, Portland says...
3:05pm Thu 15 May 08
Take the Comer Homes over here in Castletown, then the Bincleves flats, now more at the Pavilion.
I dont believe they will sell.
Whats more worrying is how Howerd Holdings are boldly going on with the scheme as if it had complete public support. Trying to pretend a miniature model in Wallinford will impress the public is stupid.
Mike, Portland says...
3:48pm Thu 15 May 08
John Holmes wrote:Weymouth is not utopia & nobody would pretend it is, but that does not mean we want it destroyed in the name of progress.To build a load of flats in such an important area & then to completely ruin the place they intend to build yet another marina.
No wonder Weymouth has such a negative reputation with people like this around! Instead of complaining all the time why not do something positive, or heaven forbid, encourage something for once? Is that too hard for you Grumpy Old Men?
Have W.P.B.C gone completely mad.
Mike, Portland says...
3:53pm Thu 15 May 08
John Holmes wrote:If you dont like it you know where the door is.
No wonder Weymouth has such a negative reputation with people like this around! Instead of complaining all the time why not do something positive, or heaven forbid, encourage something for once? Is that too hard for you Grumpy Old Men?
Maggot, Weymouth says...
4:55pm Thu 15 May 08
John Holmes wrote:Since when did trying to protect the wonderful things that make this town unique, like it's sandy beach and local countryside become 'complaining'. And where do we have a 'negative reputation'- the tarmac-and-brick-lov
No wonder Weymouth has such a negative reputation with people like this around! Instead of complaining all the time why not do something positive, or heaven forbid, encourage something for once? Is that too hard for you Grumpy Old Men?
ers club? I agree with Mike, you know where the door is.
Positron, Rodwell says...
5:45pm Thu 15 May 08
simone, weymouth says...
6:33pm Thu 15 May 08
Unfortunately "John" seems not to be one of those.
John Holmes, Weymouth says...
8:07pm Thu 15 May 08
simone wrote:Discussion is one thing - constant moaning and groaning, by the usual suspects, constantly, gets very very wearing... It would be okay if an alternative idea or plan was ever put forward, or even a bit of encouragement - but it never happens does it. It is always the negative viewpoint and provincial attitude that prevails. No wonder this town is stuck in a time-warp!
Some people have an aptitude for stating their point of view without antagonising those with different views.This is called discussion. (Pavilion regeneration has 22 replies and I feel is a great public response for this site.) Unfortunately "John" seems not to be one of those.
John, Weymouth says...
8:16pm Thu 15 May 08
John Holmes wrote:Quite right about the encouragement bit.
No wonder Weymouth has such a negative reputation with people like this around!
Instead of complaining all the time why not do something positive, or heaven forbid, encourage something for once? Is that too hard for you Grumpy Old Men?
For a start I'd positively encourage councillors to be open and honest.
Then I'd ask councillors to listen, hear, and take heed of resident's concerns.
Only then might residents start to believe that councillors actually fulfil their role of representing residents rather than developers; and so find less need to complain.
Quite simple really;
not hard at all.
simone, weymouth says...
8:35pm Thu 15 May 08
Where is the democracy in this. We all want regeneration on this site. Just not what is being offered by Howard Holdings.
In all your grumbling, I wonder whether you realise what really is going to happen on this place. Did you read all mails thoroughly and think at any point.... I didn't know that.
Have you thought about the recession that we are in where HH probably will not be able to get their l50 odd million to build this area. What should councillors do then?
As I have tried to say before on both these sites is why can the council not regenerate the town first.According to the Tourist Board, this town is really grotty.
Let's talk....(or discuss)
Jaws, Preston says...
8:44pm Thu 15 May 08
I've lived in the Town all my life - this development is sensible and much needed.
simone, weymouth says...
10:09pm Thu 15 May 08
John Holmes, Weymouth says...
8:14am Fri 16 May 08
simone wrote:Are you honestly suggesting that the Ferry Terminal site, in its present form, is really worth retaining? It is literally falling apart at the seams and is costing the local taxpayer £££'s to keep it that way. Come on, even you must agree it is well past its sell-by-date and needs replacing. If ever there was an apt monument to crumbling Weymouth this is surely it! And for your information I am Weymouth born and bred (unlike some) and have no affiliation with the Council or the developer. I just want to see this town progress and shake of the yoke NIMBY'ism and small-mindedness.
Like on the radio, one is really not sure who is behind these posts. Am I being cynical? The civic society is surely there to retain what is good in this town. Like on the radio, are posts here from the council or their representatives?
Dorset Boy, Wilds of Dorset says...
8:17am Fri 16 May 08
Then I'd ask councillors to listen, hear, and take heed of resident's concerns.
Councillors open, honest and listen! Which planet are you from?
John Holmes, Weymouth says...
11:12am Fri 16 May 08
Dorset Boy wrote:So maybe you should stand for election?
To quote John. For a start I'd positively encourage councillors to be open and honest. Then I'd ask councillors to listen, hear, and take heed of resident's concerns. Councillors open, honest and listen! Which planet are you from?
John, Weymouth says...
6:53pm Fri 16 May 08
Dorset Boy wrote:Planet Earth, where we are entitled to do a bit of wishful thinking.
To quote John. For a start I'd positively encourage councillors to be open and honest.
Then I'd ask councillors to listen, hear, and take heed of resident's concerns.
Councillors open, honest and listen! Which planet are you from?
And you?
genghis, portland says...
12:15pm Sat 17 May 08
John wrote:So what if they listen, hear and take heed etc and then the decision still goes against what you want?
John Holmes wrote: No wonder Weymouth has such a negative reputation with people like this around! Instead of complaining all the time why not do something positive, or heaven forbid, encourage something for once? Is that too hard for you Grumpy Old Men?Quite right about the encouragement bit. For a start I'd positively encourage councillors to be open and honest. Then I'd ask councillors to listen, hear, and take heed of resident's concerns. Only then might residents start to believe that councillors actually fulfil their role of representing residents rather than developers; and so find less need to complain. Quite simple really; not hard at all.
Tim Weymouth Boy, Weymouth says...
10:09am Mon 19 May 08
Come on they cant see any benefits with having a new marina, which is why Weymouth is a town BECAUSE OF THE HARBOUR!!!!!
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Mike, Portland says...
12:18pm Thu 15 May 08
Scrap the idea now & then there is no risk or is that to simple.