26th May 2011

WEYMOUTH: Plans revealed for ticketed area in Nothe Gardens

DETAILS have emerged about proposals to use Weymouth’s Nothe Gardens as a paid for ticketed spectator area for the London 2012 sailing events.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games has applied to Weymouth and Portland planners for permission to offer the viewing area via a third-party operator.

The proposal is designed to create an informal spectator environment with a large screen relaying the action with people sitting or standing on the grass banks that create a natural amphitheatre overlooking the medal course. Spectators will be free to bring their own portable chairs and picnic rugs.

The planning application specifies the temporary facilities and structures needed to accommodate up to 4,600 spectators daily per session of sailing between noon and 6pm from July 29th-August 11th 2012.

Temporary marquees and tents would house catering, vehicle and pedestrian screening and other operational areas. The plans also specify the locations of the temporary toilets and the perimeter fencing required to secure the site.

The long term improvements LOCOG would undertake prior to the start of the Games to upgrade the existing public WCs and footpaths in the Nothe Gardens are also specified. These improvements will ensure that there is a legacy for the Nothe Gardens before as well as after the sailing events.

LOCOG Games operations director Doug Arnot said: “The recent demand for tickets to see the London 2012 Olympic sailing events has been extremely healthy and, although the event is likely to be cost neutral to LOCOG, the high level of interest confirms that the area does require careful management.

“With the greater certainty on numbers offered by a paid for ticketed programme, the third-party LOCOG would contract with to deliver and operate the ticketed site will be best able to manage the flow of people in and out of the Nothe Gardens for the benefit of residents and visitors to Weymouth and Portland alike.”

It is proposed that the temporary structures would be installed on the Nothe Gardens between July 10th-July 25th 2012 and be removed immediately after the conclusion of the sailing events.

During installation of the temporary structures and facilities the majority of the Nothe Gardens will remain open to the public. Some areas may be restricted and fenced off for health and safety reasons as the temporary structures and facilities are installed.

The gardens would be closed to the general public between July 25th-August 12th 2012 and during this time access would only be possible for ticket holders to the Olympic Games sailing events and accredited staff and contractors.

LOCOG said that public consultation revealed that their proposals were well received by nearly two thirds of respondents who either actively supported them, offered constructive advice or posed general questions.

WEYMOUTH: Plans revealed for ticketed area in Nothe Gardens

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