by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporting Service.
WHILE construction work continues on the redevelopment of the Portland Heliport site the company behind the business has made changes to its original plan.
With the metal framework of the new building for servicing and maintaining helicopters, overlooking the harbour, now nearing completion the company has been granted consent to amend the plans to include a flight simulator within the building and an aircraft control room, with 360degree views, on the upper level.
The chief operating officer, Mark Deaney, says the project is currently ahead of schedule and below budget: “The facility will significantly enhance our operational capability. It includes three helicopter bays together with dedicated training rooms and space for simulator operations. There have been some refinements to the internal layout as the build has progressed — primarily to optimise workflow and training efficiency — but the core intent remains the same: to expand our maintenance, operational and training capacity.”
Mr Deaney says that once in use the new building will increase the company’s capacity; improve training delivery; enhance the site’s maintenance capability and throughput and support continued growth in both civil and military maritime helicopter operations.
“The facility represents a meaningful investment in Portland and reflects the continued growth of HeliOperations,” said the senior officer.
In the latest planning application to Dorset Council HeliOperations says the agreed changes will also mean a slight alterations to its landscaping plan, although the area where the building is to be enlarged was planned to be tarmac.
In agreeing the changes to the landscape plan, to bring them in line with the alterations to the main building, Dorset Council planning officers say the landscape changes are negligible, with the slight loss of a small area on the southern corner of the site.
“The landscaping proposed still consists of an extended planting strip along the north-western boundary between the hanger and the neighbouring commercial buildings to the northwest of the site. The proposed planting will still consist of a mix of shrubs and perennial plants and provide greenery within the site. There are no issues arising from the slight changes to the landscape scheme which are simply submitted to ensure a consistency between the Outline and Reserved Matters permissions,” said an officer report.
Portland Town Council had raised no objections to the changes.
