CONCERNS have been raised that a proposed development which includes a Starbucks and business units could cause 'wind disturbance' and significantly affect watersport activities in Portland Harbour.
As reported, Pure Town Planning Limited wants to construct a coffee shop and nine business units with associated access, parking and landscaping works at Site P Osprey Quay, Hamm Beach Road.
The Starbucks drive-through would be visible to motorists off the Hamm Roundabout and near to the Lidl supermarket.
Two commercial buildings, one of five units and another of four units, would be built on the eastern section of the site. These units will be occupied by commercial and storage and distribution businesses.
The applicant feels that this development proposal would “bring investment into Portland” by building on a vacant site and create a “significant economic benefit to the local area including through job creation.”
While residents have praised it as an “another brilliant investment for Portland” with “negligible environmental impact on the area”, others have questioned the plans in their comments on the planning application.
The main concerns are the possible effects on sailing activities in Portland Harbour - an internationally-renowned site for watersports where the 2012 Olympic sailing events were held.
Peter Allam, of Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA), explained in his objection to the application that the water opposite to the proposed development is used by inexperienced and experienced sailors, windsurfers and paddleboards for tuition and leisure.
He explained that prevailing winds in the area come from the south west over Chesil Beach and the vacant plot into Portland inner harbour, commenting that the proposed buildings are “likely to cause significant turbulence to the flow of wind across this sailing area and therefore negatively impact the area's suitability to introduce persons of all ages to the various water sports on offer.”
He wrote: “The buildings could cause winds to become erratic, intermittent/gusty, increase in speed through gaps and cause back eddies, and at the other extreme, cause a blanketing of the wind, particularly when the prevailing wind conditions are light.
“As things stand, no one knows what the effects might be and there is no consideration of this issue within the technical reports submitted with the planning application.”
He feared that the buildings could disrupt wind flow in the area, impact organisations who use the area within Portland inner harbour and called for a wind assessment to be carried out on the development.
Tristan Best, director of nearby The Official Test Centre (OTC), explained that while he doesn’t “object whole-heartedly to the application”, he feared the potential impact on his business and others in the area.
The OTC, which is a recognised Royal Yachting Association (RYA) training centre and British Stand Up Paddling Association (BSUPA) school, teaches people about water sports and works with local charities The Chesil Trust and Will Mackaness Trust.
Mr Best said: “These activities take place in the safe sailing area next to the centre and slipway, no further out than the breakwater arm of the WPNSA pontoons.
“Our reservation, therefore, is that the proposed application would create a large wind-shadow for this sailing area in the prevailing wind direction, inhibiting our operations in this area, and to the great detriment of the sessions we are able to provide.
“Along with the CEO of WPNSA, we have met with Kevin Jones, the applicant, and voiced our concerns regarding the wind disturbance.
“During the meeting, we proposed that a study be commissioned by the applicant, asking experts in the field to model and investigate the wind effects that the development may have on the adjacent waterway.
“We are keen to continue to engage with the applicant and provide any further assistance that we can.”
If approved, it would become the second Starbucks in the area after the coffee giant opened a similar drive-through branch next to Aldi in Chickerell. The branch, which opened in May 2019, created 14 jobs in the area.
The planning application comments the business development would boost the local economy and attract people to Portland.
It reads: “The drive-through coffee shop is not a use which is specified within the Local Plan.
“It is considered that this proposed use would complement the local uses, serving those in the vicinity for shopping, working or leisure uses. It is considered that it would be an appropriate use to add to the mix of retail, business, leisure and residential uses in Osprey Quay.
“Clearly the proposal will have a visual impact on the character of the locality moving from an open undeveloped site to one which was developed.”
Comments on the application are invited via the Dorset Council website. Search for application number WP/20/00705/FUL
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