Setback for open space campaign (From Thisisdorset)

Setback for open space campaign

11:22am Monday 19th May 2008

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REGIONAL planners have ruled out leaving a green space on Portland untouched, despite public protests.

The South West Regional Development Agency is planning to release half the land at Officers Field, Underhill to developers for housing.

Head of regeneration for the agency Bruce Voss added that an area about the size of a football pitch would be retained there for public use under the plans, and that talks with developers were continuing.

He said: "We have development proposals from a range of house builders and are pleased that a number of them want to build to a high environmental standard.

"The next step for us would be to work with the community in terms of making sure the open space that's left is useable."

Mr Voss pointed out that SWRDA gained planning permission to develop the area in 2002.

He added: "The local planning authority felt the plan was an acceptable balance of use for the site.

"Clearly housing, particularly low cost housing, is needed and is of great public benefit.

"The development will preserve a significant area of open space."

SWRDA's area director, Tony Bray, said: "I think our message is that Portland needs affordable housing as well as areas of open space and we have got to get that balance right."

More than 1,500 people signed a petition sent to SWRDA earlier this month objecting to plans to build around 50 homes on the former HMS Osprey site.

Former Portland Mayor, Coun Tim Munro, who has helped lead the campaign to prevent the development, said: "I can't understand SWRDA.

"They seem absolutely determined to build on Officers Field.

"Local lads will not be able to play football there even if some land is retained.

"The area that remains will be surrounded by houses."

He added: "People on the island will continue to campaign against this.

"It seems as though the SWRDA are the big boys and they just want to give the little guys on Portland a good kicking."

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