Kitesurfing centre and bar at Paracademy Kite Surfing Centre Victoria Square Portland, Fortuneswell

What was proposed

The application sought to retain a timber-clad building with altered windows and doors for a drinking establishment, food provision and kitesurfing school.

“Application Number: P/FUL/2025/01060 Site address: Paracademy Kite Surfing Centre Victoria Square Portland Proposal: Retain existing building with alterations to windows and doors for mixed use as drinking establishment with food provision and kitesurfing school/shop.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The building is beside a skate park and car park, outside a defined development boundary, and has previously been used for watersports.

“The application site is located at the north west end of the Masonic Car Park on the north west side of Portland and adjoins Portland Skate Park. The site is accessed off Portland Beach Road (A354) which runs parallel to the north east of the site. The existing building sits on a level plot, is single storey, has a rectangular planform, has vertical timber clad external walls below a pitched gable ended corrugated roof.”

“The site is within flood zones 2 and 3. Description of development 5.1 The proposed development is to retain the existing building with alterations to windows and doors for mixed use as drinking establishment with food provision and kitesurfing school/shop. Background and relevant planning history 6.1 The table below sets out the relevant planning history for the site.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant spoke in support, citing water sports for young people, events, economic benefits, weather closures and town council support.

What members debated

Members considered that flood risks could be mitigated and that the proposal offered substantial community and economic benefits.

“Officer’s provided the following responses to members questions: • Under National Planning Policy drinking establishments were considered to be higher risk than other forms of recreation, due to the likelihood that people would be consuming alcohol. • The Environment Agency were a statutory consultee and flood risk experts.”

“Members considered that a potential suitable solution could be found that would mitigate the flood risk and felt that there were substantial community benefits, in the provision of water sports and hosting of events, as well as the economic benefits that the business would bring to a deprived area.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

Authority was delegated to grant permission subject to conditions and flood evacuation plans being submitted within one month.

“It was proposed by Cllr O’Leary and seconded by Cllr Bell, that the application be granted subject to the submission of a suitable flood evacuation plan that would be presented at a future committee meeting for approval and submitted within a timeframe of 1 month of the decision.”

“Decision: That authority be delegated to the Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement and the Area Manager for the Southern and Western Team to grant planning permission subject to conditions and the submission of flood evacuation plans within 1 month of the decision with the full wording to be agreed with the Chair of the Western and Southern Area Planning Committee.”

Minutes