2. Portland Now

2.1 The Isle of Portland is located directly south of Weymouth, in a unique position at the eastern end of the famous Chesil Beach, at the centre of the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site (also known as the ‘Jurassic Coast’). It is perhaps best known as the home of Portland stone, used to build several high-profile buildings across the UK and worldwide including St Paul’s Cathedral in London and cladding on United Nations building in New York. The Island has more recently come to wider prominence as host of the very successful sailing events of the 2012 Olympics. Portland Harbour is one of the largest deep-water, man-made harbours in the world with the Port currently operating considerably below its potential capacity.

2.2 Portland is a unique and beautiful island with a stunning natural environment. The Island’s landscape may be fractured as a result of extensive quarrying activity, but it has expansive views of the sea and the Jurassic Coast from its cliffs and is well known for its exceptional flora and fauna. Portland is home to almost 13,000 people many of whom have been affected by the decline in the island’s economic fortunes.

2.3 The local economy is still adjusting to the withdrawal of the Royal Navy in the 1990s. Quarrying, whilst symbolic of the Island’s economy, is a small employer. Economic revival is focussed growing new business and employment opportunities at Portland Port, Osprey Quay, and Southwell Park. Tourism is also a key industry, with potential to expand. Currently visitors tend to stay for only a few hours rather than a day or longer and mainly visit Portland Bill.

2.4 It is sad to report that too many of the Island’s population experiences social and/or economic deprivation, particularly in the Underhill area, with high unemployment levels, low levels of educational attainment, high levels of teenage pregnancies and poor health. Many residents are dependent on the Weymouth area for shops, services, education and employment, with fewer opportunities on the Island itself.

2.5 Tackling deprivation is one of several challenges the Portland Town Council is facing up to along with its partners in pursuit of greater prosperity and more community wellbeing.

2.6 There are significant physical challenges too that we face:

Topography – the Island is a tilted table of limestone, rising sharply to nearly 500 feet before gently sloping south to Portland Bill, creating access issues particularly in Underhill.
Natural Environment – much of the Island’s natural environment is designated as special and has been afforded statutory protection from change and development
Villages – Portland is characterised by several distinct local communities. All have their own unique identities. Many have historic centres and heritage features that should be protected and enhanced.
Quarried Landscape – A large area of the Island is dominated by quarries, some of which continue to be worked. Others that have become redundant. The landscape left from open cast quarrying is difficult to restore and re-use.
Lack of Gateways – There are several locations on the Island that are important because of their role as ‘entrances’; too many provide a negative first impression with no sense that the visitor is entering such a unique and special area.
Connectivity - improving transport links to national routes and the proposed ‘Jurassic Coast Highway’.

2.7 A recent study² carried out in conjunction with the Neighbourhood Plan has identified six distinct character areas on Portland. These have been informed by consideration of the Island’s historical development, transport networks, urban structure and built development, land use and levels of activity; green space and public realm, views and landmarks. Natural England defines key characteristics as “those combinations of elements which help to give an area its distinctive sense of place” that would result in significant consequences for the current character if they were changed or lost. As a result, they form an important bedrock to the development of planning and management policies for Portland and a reference point against which to monitor change.

2.8 The six ‘character areas’ of Portland are identified and named on the diagram below:

Map 2 Portland Character Areas

Portland Character Areas

2.9 The implications of the character assessment and its conclusions is that there are two areas of Portland forming the Island's spine, with little potential for development which should remain as they are i.e. the nationally important Portland Bill and Jurassic Coast area (LCA5) and the rugged open landscape area of Quarries and Open Space (LCA6) that contribute much to the character of the whole Island. The other four areas, each with their own distinctive mix of uses and character, all experience development pressures and have varying degrees of development potential that can be realised with a relevant and appropriate set of neighbourhood plan policies.

2.10 The Portland Neighbourhood Plan endeavours to facilitate the development that is wanted, in a way that respects and enhances the character distinctions and reinforces the role and the sustainability of each of the areas.

² Portland Heritage and Character Assessment of 2017, AECOM for Portland Town Council, March 2017

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