Multi-million-pound holiday park plans unveiled for Portland

11:00am Saturday 8th September 2012 in Latest By Rachael Burnett

Coombefield Quarry Coombefield Quarry

PLANS to develop a disused quarry on Portland into a holiday park complex have been unveiled.

Portland Stone Firms Ltd is proposing to build a holiday park and leisure complex for 400 families at Coombefield Quarry, between Southwell and Weston.

The development, estimated to cost £3-5million, would create 20 full-time and 120 seasonal jobs as well as giving a boost to local businesses and tourism.

Tim Clotworthy, estates manager at the company, said he hopes it will be a positive thing for the island. He said: “It’s all quite exciting and will be a really positive thing for Portland, we’ve had an incredibly positive response from locals so far.

“There will be fantastic job opportunities for the local people and these visitors will all spend money in the area of Easton.

“It will be a quality tourist destination for Portland, what could be wrong with that?

“Over the last five or six years we have been looking at various schemes for this disused area.”

As well as 250 static caravans, 110 holiday lodges and 35 camping pods, the plans also include leisure facilities, such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a cafe and a bar.

The leisure facilities will be open to locals at a discounted rate.

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There will also be a BMX park, climbing centre, nature reserve and a new ground for Portland Town Football Club.

Mr Clotworthy said: “The new climbing centre is for the islanders, it’s what locals have said they want.

“There will be a nature conservation belt which we’re hoping a local conservation group will take on.

“We want locals to use the facilities as well, the swimming pools and climbing walls will be open to them at a discount rate.”

He added: “It’s all down low in the quarry so you won’t be able to see it. Residents looking out over the land will be able to see some of the lodges but all the caravans will be in the quarry.”

Portland Stone Firms Ltd, based at Easton Street, Portland, is aiming to submit a planning application in October.

Environmentally friendly

Environmentally friendly features of the development will include:

  • Energy efficient materials 
  • Low energy lighting
  • Rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation 
  • Optimum solar gain for the main hub
  • SUDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) surface water drainage
  • Ground source/Air source heat pumps
  • Recycled growing medium for landscaped areas
  • Recycled waste management

Comments(75)

Portland G says...
11:16am Sat 8 Sep 12

Tim Clotworthy says "we’ve had an incredibly positive response from locals so far". While looking at the plans in the Echo they do look interesting and if it brings jobs and investment to Portland I am in favour. However I would like to know how the local people were informed about this plan as I live on Portland and it is the first I have heard out it

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portland pirate says...
11:40am Sat 8 Sep 12

Looks good sounds good, but we're will the quarrying and crushing operation move to on portland ? there are years left in this out of the way site that should be used first without moving it some where closer to houses.
Lodges now houses later ?

It all looks good and sounds ok but should be looked at closer this is the first of Many questions.

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John New says...
11:53am Sat 8 Sep 12

Went to the open evening. Looks good and the climbing centre will widen the tourist base. Re comment about notice of event it was in the Free Portland News that goes to most houses on the island so info was widely circulated

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PORTLAND ROVER says...
12:59pm Sat 8 Sep 12

The question should also be asked about the future use of the site, should the camp be permitted, and any future possible closure and running down of the camp should this happen.

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common cence says...
6:49pm Sat 8 Sep 12

wonderful , the biggest problem will be getting past the portland portlanders who want to stay in the 15th cenutry that,s the ones who dont want change and live in the past, and before you ask i was born on portland , but not scared of rabbits,, good luck stone firms ,,

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Flinty Portlander says...
7:58pm Sat 8 Sep 12

I thought the purpose of a Public Consultation as advertised was for the Public to see the proposal and comment ? Stone Firms have already given large old Quarry areas over to Public use at Sculpture Park and Kingbarrow, we need jobs and tourism income now and not more dog walking areas. Set in the quarry it's a great idea but no doubt the few Nimbys will make the most noise. Shades of Tesco again, the few against it are all keen shoppers now it appears.When will everyone begin to realise the future for our youth is Tourism jobs, the community sports ideas for the youth also should be applauded and backed. Alternative is leave the quarry crushing for 50 years, some alternative I don't think !

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Crabber says...
9:19pm Sat 8 Sep 12

Portland G wrote:
Tim Clotworthy says "we’ve had an incredibly positive response from locals so far". While looking at the plans in the Echo they do look interesting and if it brings jobs and investment to Portland I am in favour. However I would like to know how the local people were informed about this plan as I live on Portland and it is the first I have heard out it
Obviously one of our Blind,Deaf Brethren. EVERY HOUSEHOLD on Portland was informed of this consultation meeting by way of a very large advertisement in the FREE PORTLAND NEWS.
common cence you'm may be barn on t'Isle but you'm bain't narn o' we . I'm bettin although Partlund barn youm frum Kimberlin stock afore yee. I'm a 5th generation Portlander being of Duck Town (ask some bu**er or look it up) Origins and I think tis a **** good idea and cannot wait to see it happen. I shall be keeping my fingers crossed

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Runraggedmama says...
10:45pm Sat 8 Sep 12

Has a feasibility study been undertaken and a survey of the types of people that might actually use a holiday park? What we don't want to have is an idea that hasn't been tested with it's potential future consumer and the development is agreed goes ahead and the island is left with a bankrupt holiday camp with no customers. in respect of the climbing wall although it sounds great, when you have the natural cliffs which people travel far and wide for, one would need to consider whether these same consumers would use and pay for an indoor facility? Again a need for a survey. With other developments undertaken as part of the Olympics, the new academy, with the backdrop of the current economic climate - should we not just pause and see the impact of what is already being undertaken, before a new development is instigated? Another question is do we need any more football pitches, when even within the academy proposal it has plans for 2, in addition to the current Weston pitches?

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lostnfound says...
11:13pm Sat 8 Sep 12

As this scheme is being proposed by a commercial company and provided that the shareholders take on all the risks, I don't see that it matters, “It’s all down low in the quarry so you won’t be able to see it."
The only worry might be that some well-meaning councillors or council officials might think that this will be a good opportunity to spend some of the tax-payer's money which they seem to regard, sometimes, as 'burning a hole in their pockets' and must be spent.

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Foursite says...
11:25pm Sat 8 Sep 12

The local villages of Southwell and Weston will feel the impact on change over day. possible gridlock with families towing thier boats in and out of Portland.There will be reduced speed limits with roundabouts.The Portland helicopter will be needed more than ever.does Portland have the infastructure to support 400 extra families who know not the perils of the Island? I think not.The Stone firms want to extend quarrying by the windmills so they want to create the new football pitches so they can dig up the one in use@the moment.Aint there one available of Weston Road when Royal Manor move to the new acadamy? or is that prime building land? come on guys start to think out of the box.

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Be_Happy says...
6:33am Sun 9 Sep 12

Yes, there probably are some ulterior motives, like getting under the land of the existing football pitch, but so what? Any extra diverse employment on the island is a bonus, and as for 'gridlock' - clutching at NIMBY straws are we not? Lynch lane and littlesea camp manage well enough with their limited access. Do we have the infrastructure for holiday makers? Easily my NIMBY friend.
All this from a Portlander of many many generations.

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Flinty Portlander says...
9:18am Sun 9 Sep 12

Any major development has to consult first with the Weymouth Council Officers.
The first issue would be a Traffic Impact Study, second would probably be Natural England and Dorset Wildlife as Portland has the most Designations in the county. Pass those and you then have to Consult the Public before an application. What's new in this process ? nothing. As a commercial enterprise a study would have been made from research data available from Dorset County on visitors/spend/ booking %'s etc to decide if the investment is viable. What's new about this process ? nothing.
Has any of the Nimby's took the trouble to look in Exeter or Southampton or the Clip and Climb websites ? I can see not.It's not aimed at experienced climbers but for kids mainly to learn about the thrill of safe danger/ exercise instead of sitting at their computers. Who would pay for Changing /toilet facilities at Weston even if the County allowed it's use, get real please. In 20 years time the proposed football pitch area would be infilled with Social housing otherwise.
What an inward glum lot we have on Portland, Stephen Hawkins just said "lift your eyes and be inspired" Well think of the Island kids future and stop looking at the ground to avoid the dog crap in most quarries.

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Foursite says...
9:49am Sun 9 Sep 12

Sounds like you have fallen for the Tory sweeteners and rhetoric of Geoff Smith,The suggested BMX park is already being used as a BMX park by local kids,there are plenty of climbing facilities being used by many groups in many locations on the Island, and we have plenty of football pitches already.If you are a Portlander of many generations you should know that Portland Stone are an open cast quarring company,Sounds like you need to get out more if you can,while you can Dopey, ah er sorry happy

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Be_Happy says...
10:05am Sun 9 Sep 12

Look, they are obviously going to stop quarrying at this site and are looking for alternative uses, this proposed use is a darn bit better then, say, a land fill site, I walk the Island a lot, and would be glad of the area being put to use to aid the local economy and provide jobs. What would you propose? A free extension to your garden that overlooks the site? Or a travellers site - in fact that would not be a bad idea, hidden away from most peoples view.

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drsymes says...
10:05am Sun 9 Sep 12

Crabber wrote:
Portland G wrote:
Tim Clotworthy says "we’ve had an incredibly positive response from locals so far". While looking at the plans in the Echo they do look interesting and if it brings jobs and investment to Portland I am in favour. However I would like to know how the local people were informed about this plan as I live on Portland and it is the first I have heard out it
Obviously one of our Blind,Deaf Brethren. EVERY HOUSEHOLD on Portland was informed of this consultation meeting by way of a very large advertisement in the FREE PORTLAND NEWS.
common cence you'm may be barn on t'Isle but you'm bain't narn o' we . I'm bettin although Partlund barn youm frum Kimberlin stock afore yee. I'm a 5th generation Portlander being of Duck Town (ask some bu**er or look it up) Origins and I think tis a **** good idea and cannot wait to see it happen. I shall be keeping my fingers crossed
Portland G - you may be accused of being one of the blind and death bretheran - and certainly unlike Crabber, you dont have this mystical sixth sense that 5th generation Portlanders must have!!

The Public Engagement Event was sent to EVERY HOUSEHOLD and advertised in the FREE PORTLAND NEWS but what our bunny loving friend Crabber forgot conveniently to mention was that the FREE PORTLAND NEWS sent to EVERY HOUSEHOLD had in fact not printed the date of the event - all it says is that it will be a thursday in September from 10am!!

Now if you had Crabbers mystical 5th generation Portland 6th sense you'd have known it was Thursday the 6th from 10am to 9.00pm.

Shame on you Portland G - please dont comment again until you can prove at least 5 generation of bull....

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swibley says...
10:05am Sun 9 Sep 12

Would I want to stay in a caravan in a hole - NO!

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Portland G says...
10:28am Sun 9 Sep 12

Crabber wrote:
Portland G wrote:
Tim Clotworthy says "we’ve had an incredibly positive response from locals so far". While looking at the plans in the Echo they do look interesting and if it brings jobs and investment to Portland I am in favour. However I would like to know how the local people were informed about this plan as I live on Portland and it is the first I have heard out it
Obviously one of our Blind,Deaf Brethren. EVERY HOUSEHOLD on Portland was informed of this consultation meeting by way of a very large advertisement in the FREE PORTLAND NEWS.
common cence you'm may be barn on t'Isle but you'm bain't narn o' we . I'm bettin although Partlund barn youm frum Kimberlin stock afore yee. I'm a 5th generation Portlander being of Duck Town (ask some bu**er or look it up) Origins and I think tis a **** good idea and cannot wait to see it happen. I shall be keeping my fingers crossed
Many thanks for those comments Crabber. I would like to inform you that I am neither Blind or deaf. I also like the way that you ASSUME that EVERY HOUSHOLD on Portland ALWAYS gets a copy of the Free Portland News. I however do not. There have been months that I don't get one so I must assume that I was missed on this occasion. I have just had another look in September's issue and can't see anything in there. May I suggest you get your facts right before posting. 1. I am not blind 2. I am not deaf and 3. Not EVERY household ALWAYS gets the Free Portland News

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Flinty Portlander says...
10:29am Sun 9 Sep 12

Maybe the FPN knows the Nimbys and deliberately smudged their issues date !!!

I saw the Tesco Events Board with the notice on it, the way gossip goes around that should have been enough.

At least Smithy's got us Tesco's as well after 4 years of resistance by W&PBC. I wonder what 'foursite' ( we can definitely say not FORESIGHT) would do for the Island to risk his money ?

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Portland G says...
10:46am Sun 9 Sep 12

Crabber stated "EVERY HOUSEHOLD on Portland was informed of this consultation meeting by way of a very large advertisement in the FREE PORTLAND NEWS." In my mind a "very large advertisement" would be a full page or at least half a page. But having read the September issue again I have proved that I am not blind and I think I can be forgiven for missing the "very large advertisement" as it is only about the size of a 6th of a page. Perhaps Crabber has problems with his sight and use magnifing glasses to read with hence believing that the ad was "very large"

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drsymes says...
11:33am Sun 9 Sep 12

Thanks Flinty - you are wasted on here - i would get straight on the phone to Lord Sugar.

'Forget millions in advertising and consultation Mr Sugar - stick a notice on a board and let the gossips do the work - oh and by the way dont trust the FPN!'

What we should be saying is that there was obviously a communication error between Mr Smith and FPN - hence a failure to print the correct date and give locals adequate time to find out about the event.

Maybe they should consider running another event and advertising it correctly.

Good old Mr Smith - he's even willing to 'risk his money' on 90 new houses off of bumpers lane for the good of the community.

Add 90 new houses, to the new ones already being built behind Tescos, a camp site/holiday park and all the children now going to Southwell (with probable 70 houses on Royal Manor Site) thats a lot of extra movement around the top of the Island.

What we need is a strategic plan for the Island incorporated within the neighbourhod plan - which is under consultation now. Thats where locals need to be having their say.

Im not opposed to anything thats going to create jobs on the Island - and tourism seems to be the way ahead. I just wouldnt want to see us sell our soul to the first idea on the table.
Because of that properly advertised consultation would be a first good step.

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Flinty Portlander says...
1:23pm Sun 9 Sep 12

The FPN or Town Council have not carried out any Notice to attend a Consultation by us locals anywhere that I have seen for a Neighbourhood Plan . Who's been consulted ? when was the closing date ? where have the results gone ? I understood it's only a Gov't wish at present and not Legislation. The Local Framework Plan consultation closed in July, hope all Nibys put their ideas in for Portland.

Portland was second to Weymouth who are now going to be second to Dorchester, wake up and smell the coffee, who else is going to promote Portland ? only other landowners are Crown, Gov't and Portland Port. They have done nothing for decades so at Least Smithy is trying and looking at the odds against him I wouldn't waste my money on ungrateful nimbys.

On Portland there is a surplus of lazy people who immediately moan before investigating the facts. What fun Smithy must have trying to better Portland!

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drsymes says...
2:17pm Sun 9 Sep 12

Flinty - i was so tempted to write that I found out through gossip - but that would be lazy and flippant!

The Portland Community Partnership (PCP) have lobbied the Portland Town Council for several months now on the importance of a neighbourhood plan. The Portland Town Council have now agreed to form a plan (with a working group now agreed) in consultation with the PCP.

The PCP held an open day for people to come and discuss/put forward ideas last month at the St Georges Centre. As far as I know there is an innitial meeting taking place this month between PCP/PTC at the council offices. I dont know if its an open meeting or not - my guess would be that it is. I would imagine that anything that comes from these meetings would then be taken back to the community for their views before its agreed.

As much as anybody I want to see future enterprise and jobs on the Island and tourism seems the way ahead i just think we need to form a strategy first.

I wrote this on a Facebook site earlier -

Add 90 proposed new houses down bumpers lane, to the new ones already being built behind Tescos and near Penn Castle, a camp site/holiday park (250static caravans, 110 holiday lodges, and 35 camping pods) with climbing walls/swimming pools,bmx track, nature reserve, boat parks, Portland Towns proposed 33 new teams, and all the children now going to Southwell IPACA business park (with probable 70 houses on Royal Manor Site and more on Southwell School site) - that seems a lot of extra movement around the top of the Island to me?

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drsymes says...
2:20pm Sun 9 Sep 12

Just noticed that i wrote that last paragraph in a previous comment - the joys of commenting on several sites at once!!

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portland pirate says...
2:23pm Sun 9 Sep 12

Flinty is mr smith obviuse from the comments .

Only trying to make the most from his land but don't hide behind that it's for Portland.

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Foursite says...
3:18pm Sun 9 Sep 12

Is it his land? I was under the impression it is crown land and he has bought the mineral rights.he has made millions on the minerals extracted and now wants to make millions more instead of giving it back to the people of Portland.he has held the monopoly of the old public railway track under the bridge @ the mermaid 4 years,unless you have volvo dumper truck or moxey Portland people are unable to use this once public road.If I had the money 2 invest in Portland it would be on education to the people who cant see further than there noses

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Runraggedmama says...
4:13pm Sun 9 Sep 12

Without wishing to appear a nimby, I was under the impression that as part of the agreement on mineral rights quarrying that the land had to be put back to it's natural state.

9.28 Restoration options are returning the land to near original levels for agricultural grazing, restoration for nature conservation purposes or for public access and recreation.

Now I may be cynical, but the cost of returning the land to near original state versus public access and recreation costs - especially if you do the plans, it gets agreed but your reliant on a third party to implement these plans, who are not currently involved with this proposed project?

We could be left with an opencast mine with plans attached and no one to implement for years.

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Flinty Portlander says...
4:22pm Sun 9 Sep 12

Pirate, as an ex employee at Easton I watched him get the blame for many things. I'm just like Stuart Morris and a few others who use common sense, do the research and comment, always found you ask the bloke he'll answer you in a straightforward manner, try it. Meanwhile, this forum could allow the Nimbys to state what they would do with the land....... wake me up when they have an idea that would give employment zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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Foursite says...
4:48pm Sun 9 Sep 12

Enhanced nature trails for our kids,Budhlia butterflies,bunnnies
,birds many species of flowers & wildlife for our kids to grow up with.Sounds good to me.

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Desk24 says...
5:01pm Sun 9 Sep 12

The new Tesco will attract holidaymakers that only go on holiday where they can continue to get thier Tesco points. It makes a big difference if you can get get 40p of marmite and your points, the saved money can go towards going up the famous Weymouth Tower.

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Desk24 says...
5:01pm Sun 9 Sep 12

The new Tesco will attract holidaymakers that only go on holiday where they can continue to get thier Tesco points. It makes a big difference if you can get get 40p of marmite and your points, the saved money can go towards going up the famous Weymouth Tower.

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Runraggedmama says...
5:36pm Sun 9 Sep 12

Are we making assumptions that the employment opportunities would be local as opposed to being sourced out of area? It is likely that with the plans proposed most of the building work won't be local. In respect of holiday camp employees - most of these are at best seasonal, so stills isn't viable long term job prospects?
I am all for development and improving opportunities, but please let's make it the right ones and not the first proposal that comes along.

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Foursite says...
6:37pm Sun 9 Sep 12

well said, any 1 4 T

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Foursite says...
6:51pm Sun 9 Sep 12

Jobs have always been a good selling point for any scheme in a Tory led recession.

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portlandresident says...
7:17pm Sun 9 Sep 12

I am delighted to see that someone has expressed an interest, in bringing their business to Portland.
-
This seems to be a super offer, that we shouldn't turn down. Someone is offering to spend money on Portland, invest in our future, and offer jobs, not to mention a boost to the local economy. Also, by looking at this article, it would appear that this holiday park would also feature somewhere to camp with a tent! There's nowhere on Portland that you can camp, and even when there are temporary sites made available, there aren't the facilities that have been offered here!. So, that in itself is worth something.
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What's more, with the other facilities on offer, and the chance of harmonising the local flora and fauna with the site, this sounds like a great place to stay, whilst exploring the island.
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To me, it looks like someone can finally holiday on Portland with more facilities on offer than before. They can explore the island, and all it has to offer. With so much to do, and so much to see, there's a chance we may now even be able to encourange them to stay on the island, until their journey home. They can shop in Easton, eat in some of our super restaurants, enjoy a pint with some of the friendly locals, and even catch a show at Portland's very own theatre (if there's one on!) This holiday park can only compliment our island, so I'm all for it.

I wish them the very best of success. I'm just pleased that someone wants to invest in Portland.

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Foursite says...
10:01pm Sun 9 Sep 12

Looking @ the map on the suggestive masterplan the removal of the football pitches that are shown kicking towards the road, and leaving the horses in this field to amuse the kids, the removal of the 20 lodges shown near the adder sanctuary and wildlife conservation belt, if this area was left to mother nature I’m sure this would go along way to pacify the nimby,s keep it all in the quarry’s out of sight of the Weston Street and Southwell residents then you may be getting somewhere..

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maximan says...
9:49am Mon 10 Sep 12

This project will never get past the xenophobic mentality of the island Nimbys...."yere we don't like change"

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Anoushka says...
10:01am Mon 10 Sep 12

How many of the jobs are actually going to go to Portlanders though? how many of the employees in Tesco come from weymouth, and the development is only offering 20 full time staff, and they will most likely have to be people with the right qualifications to look after children etc.

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portlandresident says...
10:13am Mon 10 Sep 12

It's true, there's no guarantee that jobs will go to the poeple of Portland, but you'd expect some of them to. Yes, there's only 20 full time jobs on offer. But, that's surely better than none.
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If a success is made of it, then there's always a chance that employment prospects could increase.
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It's likely that only the right candidates would be selected for the jobs too, depending how good they are at staff selection. But that's not always a bad thing. Also, it depends what the job is.

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snowleopard says...
10:18am Mon 10 Sep 12

Portland put on the World Map in 2012 thanks to Olympics and Paralympics.
Seems ideal time to do something to offer facilities such as this to new visitors.

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Portland G says...
10:51am Mon 10 Sep 12

This article states that the submission is by Portland Stone Firms Ltd. Now unless there has been a merger it should be Portland Stone Ltd OR Stone Firms Ltd. There has been references to Mr Smith regarding this story, I was under the impression the he ran/owned Stone Firms Ltd. The quarry in question is operated by Portland Stone Ltd (see photo) which as far as I am aware is ran/owned by the Nash family and totally seperate. I am sure that there are/will be subscribers on here that will correct me if I am wrong

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portlanddoeboy says...
1:38pm Mon 10 Sep 12

Crabber wrote:
Portland G wrote:
Tim Clotworthy says "we’ve had an incredibly positive response from locals so far". While looking at the plans in the Echo they do look interesting and if it brings jobs and investment to Portland I am in favour. However I would like to know how the local people were informed about this plan as I live on Portland and it is the first I have heard out it
Obviously one of our Blind,Deaf Brethren. EVERY HOUSEHOLD on Portland was informed of this consultation meeting by way of a very large advertisement in the FREE PORTLAND NEWS.
common cence you'm may be barn on t'Isle but you'm bain't narn o' we . I'm bettin although Partlund barn youm frum Kimberlin stock afore yee. I'm a 5th generation Portlander being of Duck Town (ask some bu**er or look it up) Origins and I think tis a **** good idea and cannot wait to see it happen. I shall be keeping my fingers crossed
Its now sad to see Portlanders once again pitched against themselves over this development but I would like to put the record straight in that the Notice wasnt big in the free Portland news and it had no date on it. Personally I am in favour of re-using the quarries but such schemes do impact on infrastructure and I will fight against the loss of any footpath for the sake of a quick buck.

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portlanddoeboy says...
1:41pm Mon 10 Sep 12

Portland G wrote:
Tim Clotworthy says "we’ve had an incredibly positive response from locals so far". While looking at the plans in the Echo they do look interesting and if it brings jobs and investment to Portland I am in favour. However I would like to know how the local people were informed about this plan as I live on Portland and it is the first I have heard out it
I went to the review and there was hardly anybody there. Poor notice in FPN. No date. So what where the numbers Mr Clotworthy to back up your claim

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portlanddoeboy says...
1:52pm Mon 10 Sep 12

Be_Happy wrote:
Yes, there probably are some ulterior motives, like getting under the land of the existing football pitch, but so what? Any extra diverse employment on the island is a bonus, and as for 'gridlock' - clutching at NIMBY straws are we not? Lynch lane and littlesea camp manage well enough with their limited access. Do we have the infrastructure for holiday makers? Easily my NIMBY friend.
All this from a Portlander of many many generations.
So you think its wrong for a Nimby to protest. I moved to the island a long time ago when cows used to run through Southwell and it was a lovely peaceful place. Today its clogged with traffic. People from the Holiday camp will get pretty fed up trying negotiate the eastern end of Southwell. Let me put this to you. If a toxic dump was planned near you would you not protest. Personally I am in favour of re-using the quarry but not at the expense of misery for other people and loss of footpaths.

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portland555 says...
2:15pm Mon 10 Sep 12

Portland G wrote:
This article states that the submission is by Portland Stone Firms Ltd. Now unless there has been a merger it should be Portland Stone Ltd OR Stone Firms Ltd. There has been references to Mr Smith regarding this story, I was under the impression the he ran/owned Stone Firms Ltd. The quarry in question is operated by Portland Stone Ltd (see photo) which as far as I am aware is ran/owned by the Nash family and totally seperate. I am sure that there are/will be subscribers on here that will correct me if I am wrong
portland stone firms ltd is a new company set up & owned by Mr Geoff Smith, portland stone ltd has a lease to crush stone in this quarry (hence PSL name/logo on the entrance. this has nothing to do with portland stone limited at all - this will be made clear in the echo in the next few days to clear PSL name.

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madcap says...
4:51pm Mon 10 Sep 12

I cannot see why anyone would wish to visit Portland any more. It is becoming so over developed that area's to walk and area's of natural beauty are scarce. As a resident of many years who has put up with non stop development around her house for over 5 years now I just wish all the money makers would leave the Island alone now. Knowing how developers work the 'attractive lodges' would probably end up looking like the Captain's field development and how ugly is that area?

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diadus22 says...
7:27pm Mon 10 Sep 12

well i hope there is a good bus service to get some of these people down to the proposed site,because we aint got one at the moment

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ksmain says...
7:57pm Mon 10 Sep 12

I thought that Portland already had a leisure complex befitting it - Portland Prison and YOI.

How are these holidaymakers going to get off the island, by airlift? I mean there is precious little bus service on there, and there is little to see or do, unless you like holes in the ground. There are only so many times that you can do a remedial walk round the island.

As for Tesco, you have to give the islanders a bit of slack. I mean, when it opened it was the first time many of them had seen a shop.

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Foursite says...
8:39pm Mon 10 Sep 12

So who is responsible for turning a footpath sign around,putting up a gate,putting horses with a stable in last year.and only yesterday put a padlock on it.This is opposite the new developements @ perryfield,A footpath I have used since childhood and will continue to use it as one

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Foursite says...
9:14pm Mon 10 Sep 12

So who is responsible for turning a footpath sign around putting up a gate last year and placing horses with a stable in the created field ?
only yesterday a padlock and chain
was put on the gate.This footpath is opposite the new developments
@ perryfield,and is a footpath Ihave used as a child and will continue
to do so.
hope this makes more sense than my last posting.

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nobby43 says...
11:28pm Mon 10 Sep 12

Foursite wrote:
So who is responsible for turning a footpath sign around putting up a gate last year and placing horses with a stable in the created field ?
only yesterday a padlock and chain
was put on the gate.This footpath is opposite the new developments
@ perryfield,and is a footpath Ihave used as a child and will continue
to do so.
hope this makes more sense than my last posting.
Both posts make sense to me! Some think they can do as they please on the isle. There are no bridalways at all on the Isle so why so many horses? I don't object to the horses only the stuck up hollier than thou attitude of their owners and riders. Perhaps the same could be said of the land owners.

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yellowhunter13 says...
5:12pm Tue 11 Sep 12

So then guys lets look at this on a positive note! Now not to long ago smithys lot wents tits up and he had to bail himself out through probably borrowing more money. And those football pitches are probably just for Portland town who are run by the former Galaxy windows lot who also went insolvent.So its all in good hands hey!
And now that Portland is all quarried out almost they have the funds for a 5 million pound project and it will probably cost more than this! So to put Portland on the map(thought the olympics did that) we are gonna put our trust to do the right thing with whats left to two former bust companies?? Answer No,probably sell the rights to one of the big boys like haven,pontins to name a few and then once they get through the door the whole project will be changed.
Having a twenty year career with one of these firms i know for sure they bring quite a few of their own employees.
But who knows i maybe wrong but do we really want to take a chance??

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Foursite says...
7:21pm Tue 11 Sep 12

very well put.how on earth can we promote tourism & leisure by closing puplic footpaths,On the plan the nearest one to the new academy is being proposed to be closed.No nature ramble for our kids through the quarries from Reap lane end.

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Foursite says...
7:21pm Tue 11 Sep 12

very well put.how on earth can we promote tourism & leisure by closing puplic footpaths,On the plan the nearest one to the new academy is being proposed to be closed.No nature ramble for our kids through the quarries from Reap lane end.

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Foursite says...
7:26pm Tue 11 Sep 12

my last post was aimed @ yellowhunter13

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Janner89 says...
7:32pm Tue 11 Sep 12

common cence wrote:
wonderful , the biggest problem will be getting past the portland portlanders who want to stay in the 15th cenutry that,s the ones who dont want change and live in the past, and before you ask i was born on portland , but not scared of rabbits,, good luck stone firms ,,
Whats a Portland Portlander? a Portlander is a Portlander and just being born on Portland doesn't, and will never, make you one.

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ksmain says...
7:50pm Tue 11 Sep 12

Janner89 wrote:
common cence wrote:
wonderful , the biggest problem will be getting past the portland portlanders who want to stay in the 15th cenutry that,s the ones who dont want change and live in the past, and before you ask i was born on portland , but not scared of rabbits,, good luck stone firms ,,
Whats a Portland Portlander? a Portlander is a Portlander and just being born on Portland doesn't, and will never, make you one.
Unlucky!!!

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Runraggedmama says...
8:57pm Tue 11 Sep 12

If the mainlander is blind to the obvious I'll spell out a couple of tourist attractions, which have been here for sometime:-
1. Diving
2. Sailing
3. Wind-surfing
4. Climbing
5. Walking

All fantastic activities if you get off the couch and p.s. we've got a great swimming pool.

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yellowhunter13 says...
9:36pm Tue 11 Sep 12

Nobody can change the history of Portland it is what it is. A 4 mile long lsle at the end of a 2 mile beach road.
The fact is most people on it like the way it is and thats their perogative.
And i am certainly not stuck in the 15th century and neither am i a portlander but i live here and i along with others enjoy it for what it is.
But for those who do not and want it to turn into a developers playground maybe a move wouldnt be out of the question!
Funny though how now these quarries are near to used then someone says"hey lets have a massive holiday park and caravans that look at quarry slopes" Well why the hell couldnt they have put a park in the many fields that overlook the sea etc. Or the many acres that have 1 or 2 horses shoved in there.
As for tourism we are not Weymouth or Newquay its bloody Portland and we couldnt make it bigger if we tried but we could make it smaller by putting this proposed butlins in !

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lostnfound says...
1:48am Wed 12 Sep 12

yellowhunter13
At the end of the 'yellow brick road' lies the answer - someone wants to make money - nothing altruistic about this proposal.

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yellowhunter13 says...
9:42am Wed 12 Sep 12

Yep lostnfound we all know that and thats the point people like to believe the sugar coated gumpf.
British tourism is down again this year and it has been going down a slippery slope since 2008.
Purely ridiculous idea and in these times realistically unsustainable.
But opinions differ here on Portland as some our in reality and others are in dreamworld.

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ksmain says...
8:36pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Runraggedmama wrote:
If the mainlander is blind to the obvious I'll spell out a couple of tourist attractions, which have been here for sometime:- 1. Diving 2. Sailing 3. Wind-surfing 4. Climbing 5. Walking All fantastic activities if you get off the couch and p.s. we've got a great swimming pool.
I'm afraid you've missed the point. The first 3 activities don't take place ON Portland (they are in the sea). Climbing - where? - most of the rock is dangerous to climb on. Walking - most of what you can see should take a day, 2 at most (that which isnt covered by prisons or housing estates.

I really think this is a poor idea. There are already 3 massive sites in Weymouth, together with plenty B&B accommodation. It takes another 20 minutes to get anywhere from Portland to anything, if I was holidaying I would want to be closer to somewhere that offers a choice of pubs, eateries, etc. Portland dosent offer that choice.

I remember that this April a number of friends of ours stayed in the big block of flats at the bottom of Portland.I remember their comments after having gone a walk in the Fortuneswell area that there were no shops, no pubs worth going to and nothing to do. I rest my case.

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Foursite says...
9:31pm Wed 12 Sep 12

ahh but this is a sustainable holiday park they want, makes all the difference you know and they gonna have a club, lake,and 2 swimming pools in 2 big holes surely that must sound exiting?

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lostnfound says...
10:36pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Foursite says... 'ahh but this is a sustainable holiday park they want'
No, all they want is the money - sustainable is just a buzz word so that they get their way (:o))

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digger123456 says...
10:38pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Well people i have read through these comments and they are quite amusing.
Having strong links to Portland i did a bit of digging and its amazing what you can discover!
Like the fact a certain Portland sustainable holiday parks ltd have done a traffic asessment for a proposed 600 caravan site at coombefield quarry. Just saying! This thing is going to planning in October but me thinks there ulterior motives somewhere down the line but the truth is out there!

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portlandresident says...
11:08pm Wed 12 Sep 12

I don't see what ulterior motives there are in conducting a traffic assessment. You don't need strong links to Portland to find that out. It's not a secret. You can view all their proposals online. Tesco had to do the same, and it's only something they'll be asked for, amongst other things, when the planning department look at whether it's the right place for a holiday park. Good luck to them I say. Portland stone is part of our heritage, but at the moment, the only legacy that empty quarry is leaving behind is dust and lack of something in it, to fill the void left by the quarry teams. I'd rather someone made use of it, and helped our local economy than do nothing. I'm just pleased someone's expressed an interest in bringing something different to Portland.

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yellowhunter13 says...
11:23pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Didnt they say they were having 250 vans and not 600!!
They will probably get their way in the end. But is does beg the question why didnt they say 600 on the proposal cause 250s a bit of a shortfall on that??
And the other legacy will be the paths and fields of horse crap so why were at it lets build all over the gaff and then quarry the sXXX out of it!!!!! Why dont we all move off and give the whole lsland to developers and tourists that dont come ere! Boody marvelous!

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Foursite says...
8:28am Thu 13 Sep 12

so you agree that the quarrys are dusty portlandresident,you obviosly not a westonstreet resident or you will know what we have put up with for many years,.as for the ulterior motive,the stables are being relocated to southwell I believe and the galaxy windows or portland town tfootball teams want to move .its obvious they want to extend thier working quarry if you read info on thier website.Us and our kids will have to endure cussin & swearin from 66 men on a sunday morning rather than 22 and on the other side through the week put up blasting and dust.I will also point out portlandresident that you will not find any dust blowing around in tout quarry, its thier lorries and machinery that causes that.

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Laughing gnome says...
11:05am Thu 13 Sep 12

It aint gonna happen.

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Tillydog says...
7:58pm Thu 13 Sep 12

Oh dear, poor Mr Smith he gets more stick than I do, you would have thought at 68 years of age he would be wanting to retire somewhere and put his feet up. He sounds a right character, is he a Portland chap by any chance? Reading comments on this forum and reading about him on line may I come up with a solution myself regarding the quarrying and football pitches proposed. Why not have a nice equestrian centre in the field; horses are there at the moment but you have no bridleways on the Island. This is an ideal opportunity to raise the profile of this beautiful Island for tourists, It would be nice to have bridleways, and work in harmony with the horses, I don’t mind a bit of horse poo..
I understand also Mr Smith is a director of a mining company registered in London. It makes perfect sense to me that this must be the way forward as the other stone company has proved. Please Mr Smith don’t take any more of our lovely fields. As far as the caravans in the quarries, all I can say is that aluminium has good scrap value at the moment, I just hope for the sake of Mr Smith and his directors that this is also sustainable. Woof Woof dog bless Tophill

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Foursite says...
8:03pm Thu 13 Sep 12

What a clever dog,I would like to give you a bone.

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digger123456 says...
9:05pm Thu 13 Sep 12

Mmmm well i cant say i like horses much but yes i can see the logic in an equestrian centre as there seems to plenty of them and their masters about up yonder. Please no more footie fields sweet baby jesus there is enough of them up here anyway. What with the groves 2/3 pitches and 3 up weston street then add the land opposite royal manor surely no more!! Lodges maybe in a wooded area or lake area but smack in the middle of some scrub land makes no sense apart from the sea view. I keep hearing people harp on about employment but surely a quarry company in their virginity of being a holiday company would have to take things a bit slowly at first so what we talking about 3/4 years away.
My dog didnt write this !!!

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digger123456 says...
9:27pm Thu 13 Sep 12

Now before people start slating me what about one of these eco landfill sites?Yes Landfill, they do these ones now when the rubbish is burnt? underground and the gas is released directly as renewable energy which in turn could be used to fuel homes or whatever up on Portland.
There is plenty of info online and i think that sounds ok would provide jobs. They could use all the horse crap and other stuff and if done correctly these days they look better and dont smell.
How about one of the first islands to have its own clean, cost effective and renewable cheap energy! Better than that awful oil plant idea!
As i say dont slate me for trying to adapt any idea for the good of Portland.

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yellowhunter13 says...
9:59pm Thu 13 Sep 12

I dunno digger1234 nice try, but could be a bitter pill for some people to accept a landfill site as you describe here on Portland but i do see the logic a small place producing its own energy if it could? I have seen the tees valley renewable energy scheme and that looks extremely good. I mean a few comments on here about Portland being rubbish but one things for sure tourism is not a constant thing you have the seasons etc and the fact its quiet for ages now. On the other hand rubbish is never ending but who knows eh?

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suzyfernando says...
8:54am Fri 14 Sep 12

I like the idea of this it will give us more to do with our families without having to leave the island... however why is it portland town get a new pitch are we not a community shouldnt all our kids benefit why be so specific. portland town are a newly formed team who did their best to take portland united players as they did not have enough of their own. its a shame its a battle it is teaching our children the wrong message any way i am ranting now. like the idea hate the specifics of choices which divide the community and our kids.

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Foursite says...
9:35am Fri 14 Sep 12

Now are we getting somewhere? where stone firms went wrong was not consulting the Portland people on ideas of what to do with the quarries,rather than simply set up a new company in 2008 with an idea of thier own thinking they would not be met by the resolve from local residents.Makes you wonder wether the date in FPN was blanked out on purpose to aviod any opposition to thier rediculous plans.Incidendly has the no camping/caravaning signs on Portland been removed without consultation.Democra
cy hey?

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