Portland has become a place that few people would have expected. The age old customs are slowly dying out, as a new breed of modern structures are increasingly being shoved here without the will of the people or without any consideration to the Island's history.
Would the London City Council allow St Paul's Cathedral to be renovated by taking away all the Portland Stone, and replacing it with magnolia painted sectional concrete?
There is but one obvious answer.
So why...The home of Portland Stone, steeped in just about as much history as London, and perhaps every other City, Town and Village in England, do we have to endure the ugly monstrosities that has befallen the wonderful Isle?
Comer Homes, the company behind the tragedy that is the so called "Ocean Views" Project (The worst name to use...in fact, there are NO veiws of any Ocean from any window in that complex...Just Lyme Bay, Portland Harbour and the Bay near the town with the sandy beach!) When the Navy left Portland from 1996, there was not much left to leave as a legacy for the Islanders. Just the emptied out shells of many old buildings and the HMS Osprey site. The only legacy that we allegedly had, was the kind gift from the Ministry of Defence to the people of Portland as a thank you for well over a hundred years that we looked after the Royal Navy and many other Navy's around the world. That GIFT, was subsequently sold from under our noses and now has been built on. If the Officers Field was a gift to Portland, Then who gave the right to sell the land that belongs to each and every one of us here on the Island?
Back to Comer Homes, who said they would "support locals" during the developments to the old HMS Osprey site. We are still waiting for that support! We are still waiting for them to finish the development! As you can see from the photograph!
So, why are these new ghastly buildings being approved by planning authorities? Why are they not being built with the very stone that this Island is famous for? Why is the voice of the people always ignored? As my earlier blog notes....Portland Castle next to a concrete block? Wouldn't happen in London!
I have no Idea, if the Comer Homes development will ever be completed, and if there is any truth behind the Officers Field gift. What I do expect, is that somewhere, there are people who has gained significantly by passing planning applications and brushing aside the will and integrity of the people of Portland.
Portland Ignored...Again and again!
Thanks for listening! Andy
Absolutely true to the letter Andy mate. Sold out down the bloody river yet again. Would not ever hd happened if we had PUDC in charge, I suppose it was those deep pocketed fiends from Muff who benefited from the sale of Canteen ground as I know it. As for Portland Traditions where can you buy a Proper Traditional Portland Dough Cake?. Answer is you can't, the ones on sale are made in Muff. The ones in Easton aren't Proper Dough cakes as he puts Sugar on the tops YUK ! ! !!
ReplyDeleteGreat Article Andy, saldy don't expect the site to be completed anytime soon, ALL their developments are a disaster, how do i know, well i own one and talk to other owners around London, they cut every corner possible, nothing works, my complex is still not finished after over 8 years, most sites are un sold, some never even started, check out Bradstow House Harrow, just a shell over 2 years later, they are based offshore, so no files, no records, ripoff management fees, all comer linked companies that go bust, money goes missing, new company starts up, lifts don't work, mould, damp, bad electrics, filthy leisure suites, im amazed that there not national news, how they get away with it, well its all back handers and cheap derelict 1960 buildings.. i could go on and on but you have seen it for yourself... As for Ocean View i hear owners taking them to court and their trying to sell site to Olympic team, crazy..
ReplyDeleteMore like Coma Homes, in existence but unable to progress
ReplyDelete