Planning

Reflecting changes in procurement, the unusual site at Officers Field with its rich local context was made available through a central Government initiative for regional development agencies, in this case SWRDA, disposing of land in Government ownership. On Portland near Weymouth in Dorset the former Royal Navy Air Station RNAS Osprey received Outline consent in 2002 to become the site for industrial, education and residential uses. After admiring the design of houses at Upton Site C innovative developer Zero C approached HTA to develop the design for the 2008 competition for the residential element. HTA’s winning design prioritised sustainable living through a fabric-first approach and a mix of home sizes and tenures with public open space to help the development become part of the wider community on Portland. With a supportive Case Officer keen to see the design optimised for its setting HTA and Zero C secured Planning consent in 2009.

Due to the success of the scheme, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) selected the completed units to be the Athletes' Village during both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Many homes were purchased before completion therefore the internal arrangements were temporarily altered to enable the homes to accommodate about 400 athletes and team officials