Weymouth and Portland

Weymouth and Portland

1,000 days to go
Weymouth and Portland will play a significant part in the Games. With the best sailing waters in northern Europe and world-class facilities at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, it will provide a spectacular setting for the Sailing competition.

Our plans at the Nothe Gardens
Our plans for the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and Portland Marina

The Nothe Gardens in Weymouth has been selected as the proposed ticketed spectator location during the Olympic Games Sailing events – enabling spectators to enjoy a great Games experience.

The following planning applications:

•         The Nothe Gardens - Erection of temporary structures including tents, cabins and associated vehicle and pedestrian access areas and operational compounds for the purposes of a spectator viewing area for the sailing events for the 2012 Olympic Games

•         Temporary use of the Chesil Cove Federation Primary School and Osprey Quay residential development for use as a Sailing Village for athlete and official accommodation and services

Will be heard at the Weymouth and Portland Council Planning Committee, to be held at 9am on 27 July at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council (Committee Room No.1, Council Offices, North Quay, Weymouth, DT4 8TA).

Our plans at the Nothe Gardens


In order for the Nothe Gardens to be used as the proposed ticketed spectator location during the 2012 Olympic Games, temporary structures and facilities will need to be installed. These will include catering, toilets. pedestrian and vehicular screening areas. They will be installed during the two weeks prior to the Games, and will be removed immediately after.

Download the proposed ticketed spectator venue plan.

Download the display boards that were on view at the drop-in sessions.

Download the planning application documents:
Application form
Cover letter
Planning statement
Planning drawings
Design and access statement
Report on community and stakeholder engagement
Ecology statement
Transport statement

The Games-time management of the spectator location will be tendered to a third party operator.

During the installation of the temporary structures and facilities from 10 July to 25 July 2012, 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 structures and facilities are installed. The Gardens will be closed to the general public between 25 July and 12 August 2012. During this time access will only be possible for ticket holders to the Olympic Games Sailing events. The Nothe Gardens will be reopened immediately after the Olympic Games. Some areas may be restricted whilst the structures and facilities are dismantled.

Approximately 40 vehicles a day will be required to bring in the materials required for the installation of the temporary structures and facilities. These will be small sized vehicles due to the height restrictions at the Nothe Fort.

The Nothe Gardens will not include seated tickets – instead spectators will be standing or sitting on the ground. Spectators would also have the added benefit of a video screen to keep them up to date with the Olympic Sailing events.

A park-and-ride facility will be provided for spectators attending this event. The proposed site for this facility is the Weymouth Relief Road park-and-ride site. Spectators within the Weymouth area are recommended to walk, cycle or use local bus services wherever possible.

The Nothe Gardens will be returned to its existing condition. We have also committed to improving the existing toilets and footpaths in the Nothe Gardens to ensure that there is a legacy following the Olympic Games sailing events.

The Nothe Gardens will not be used for the Paralympic Games.

Frequently asked questions


Will the proposals result in any more roadworks?
No. There are no planned roadworks or road closures as a result of the proposals for the Nothe Gardens. Any parking restrictions will be kept to a minimum.

How will spectators travel to the Nothe Gardens?
A park-and-ride facility will be provided for spectators attending this event. The proposed site for this facility is the Weymouth Relief Road park-and-ride site. Spectators within the Weymouth area are recommended to walk, cycle or use local bus services wherever possible.

Will residents’ parking on roads near to the Nothe Gardens be suspended during the Olympic Games?
It is likely that residents’ parking on Barrack Road will be suspended during the Olympic Games. It is intended that alternative residents’ parking in the immediate area will be provided free of charge.

For how long will the Nothe Gardens be closed to the public?
During installation of the temporary structures and facilities from 10 July to 25 July 2012, 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 structure and facilities are installed. The Gardens will be closed to the public between 25 July and 12 August 2012. During this time access will only be possible for ticket holders to the Olympic Games Sailing events.

What will the temporary facilities include?
The temporary structures and facilities will include catering, vehicle and passenger screening and operational areas, and toilets.

Will London 2012 be using the Nothe Fort as part of the proposals?
Yes. The plans include using the Nothe Fort. However the temporary structures and facilities will not be on the Fort itself, but in the area surrounding the Fort.

Will there be any damage to the Nothe Gardens?
London 2012 will ensure that the Nothe Gardens are returned to their existing condition. The plans have been developed in consultation with Natural England and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council to ensure that the ecology of the Nothe is protected. London 2012 has also committed to improving the existing toilets and footpaths in the Nothe Gardens to ensure that there is a legacy following the Olympic Games Sailing events.

How can I buy tickets?
Applications for London 2012 Olympic Games tickets are now closed.

Tickets to watch the Olympic Games Sailing events will be priced between £20 and £55, depending on the day.

Please note that ticket availability for the Olympic Games Sailing events is subject to planning consent.

You can apply for tickets for the Paralympic Games between 9 and 30 September 2011

How many people will attend the Olympic Games Sailing events at the Nothe Gardens?
We anticipate there will be capacity for 4,600 spectators to attend the Olympic Games Sailing events each day.

Will there be a big screen in Weymouth during the Olympic and Paralympic Games?

The Local Authority will be providing a live site, a big screen to watch the sailing events and other Olympic coverage from on Weymouth beach, and putting on other sporting and cultural activities throughout the Olympic and Paralympics games, this will all be free to public.

What happens between now and 2012?

March 2011
Consultation with key users of the Nothe Gardens, residents and businesses in the local area, local amenity groups and other key stakeholders on the proposed temporary structures and facilities and the temporary traffic management measures on the A354. We will review the feedback we receive and will adapt our plans where possible.

Feedback on the plans will be passed to the third party operator for consideration in the development of the operational plans.

April 2011
Planning application submitted to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

August 2011
A Test Event will be held at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and Portland Marina to ensure all necessary preparations are made ahead of the Games in 2012. The Nothe Gardens will not be used as part of this event.

July 2012
Installation of temporary structures and facilities at the Nothe Gardens (subject to planning consent).

27 July-12 August 2012
London 2012 Olympic Games.

29 July-11 August 2012
Olympic Games Sailing competition.

12 August 2012
Temporary facilities and structures at the Nothe Gardens will begin to be dismantled and will be removed by the end of August.

29 August – 9 September 2012
The 2012 Paralympic Games. The Paralympic Sailing events will take place 1-6 September 2012. The Nothe Gardens will only be used during the Olympic Sailing events.


Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and Portland Marina 

In July 2010, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) consulted the local community about our plans for the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) and Portland Marina prior to submitting a planning application to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

See the display boards that were on view at the consultation.

Download the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Village planning application

Application form
Cover letter
Planning statement
Transport statement
Planning drawings
Report on Community and Stakeholder Engagement

In order to stage the Olympic and Paralympic sailing events in 2012, we applied for planning permission to install some temporary structures and facilities. Planning consent was granted on 15 December 2010. However, we still welcome your feedback and you can comment on our plans by:

  • calling us on Freephone 0800 198 2012
  • writing to us at Freepost 2012 Games; or


A message from Seb Coe


‘Weymouth and Portland is an exciting and important location for the Games. The Sailing Academy and Marina together make a world-class venue which will provide a spectacular backdrop for the Games in 2012, and a lasting legacy for the local community.’


Weymouth and Portland at Games time


Olympic Games:

- 29 July–11 August 2012
- 380 athletes
- 10 gold medals

Paralympic Games:

- 1 September–6 September 2012
- 80 athletes
- 3 gold medals

During the Games, WPNSA and the Marina will provide the spectacular setting for the Olympic and Paralympic Sailing events.

Planning consent is required to install the temporary facilities needed to stage the Games at the WPNSA and Marina. Temporary facilities include areas for athletes and officials, and operational and broadcast compounds. Further planning applications will also be submitted for temporary use of accommodation at the ZeroC housing development, and additional facilities required at the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Village.

The Sailing action will take place against the backdrop of stunning Jurassic coast. Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour provides some of the best natural sailing waters in the UK, with facilities at the WPNSA and Marina to match. The WPNSA has already hosted numerous international sailing events, including the 2006 ISAF World Youth Championships attended by over 60 nations.

After the Games, all temporary facilities will be removed and the WPNSA will remain as a lasting legacy for the local community.

Frequently asked questions


What are the plans for Weymouth and Portland?

Planning applications will be submitted to Weymouth and Portland for consent to install temporary facilities at WPSNA and for temporary use of the ZeroC residential development at Games time.

What are you doing about transport issues in the area?

The planning applications detail the temporary facilities required to stage the Games and we are consulting on those planning applications.  However, transport plans including getting athletes and officials to and from the sailing venue and the village are being developed and will be communicated later this year.

Can I watch the events?

We are currently looking into the feasibility of making tickets available to buy for the Sailing events.

Will boat moorings and day to day sailing activity be disrupted at Games time?

There will be a controlled access zone surrounding the waters in use at Games time.

Will there be any London 2012 related sports events prior to the Games in Weymouth and Portland?

London 2012 will stage a test event in early August 2011. Details will be available nearer the time.

How do I get involved?

There are a number of ways that you can get involved in the Games including volunteering, working  for London 2012, business opportunities and the Get Set education programme. For more details, visit  london2012.com/get-involved


Timeline to 2012


July 2010

Consultation with local residents, community representatives, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, Dorset County Council and other key stakeholders.

October 2010

Planning application submitted to Weymouth and Portland  Borough Council.

2011

A test event will be held in 2011 to ensure all necessary preparations are made ahead of the Games in 2012. 

Summer 2012

Installation of temporary structures and facilities.

27 July–12 August 2012

Olympic Games Sailing 29 July–11 August 2012.

29 August–9 September

2012 Paralympic Games Sailing 1 September–6 September 2012.