Plans for Port Royal > fresh ideas > "It's not the building so much as the location."

There are some very interesting ideas emerging about 'what to do with Port Royal':
Futures Forum: Port Royal Repurposed

Many of these are based on the actual grid and original purpose of the Eastern Town:
Futures Forum: Gerald Counter's Sidmouth: an insight into Eastern Town >>> revisited

And these are based on serious research and solid evidence:
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >> Scoping Study consultation > an overview of the maps and the options

The latest proposals come from Graham Cooper - as outlined in the Herald:

Sidmouth and Ottery breaking news and sport - Sidmouth Herald

Here is his full press release, which gives more detail of his vision for the site:

I am of the view that you should not demolish the Drill Hall or any other heritage building in the conservation area unless a better idea is brought forward. 

There is currently no such proposal. 

My proposal is to add a further floor and balcony to the sailing club, with canopies extending over the boat yard and to the east of the Drill Hall linking it to the toilets. 

For flexibility, the new top floor would be open-plan with patio windows providing views at both ends. The roof is cantilevered over the front sheltering the balconies. The saw tooth profile is intended to unify the site offering further year-round shelter to the users and visitors. 

The maximum height as shown in the perspective would be below Trinity Court. 

I think the Drill Hall would make a great flexible event space, café and bar, with a gallery in the basement shooting range. The top floor added to the sailing club would make a fabulous fish restaurant!

With further comment from Graham:

It's not the building so much as the location. 

It's like the Pompidou Centre in Paris which is popular because of the public space and access to the arts centre. 

Similarly without the traffic Port Royal could be become a significant magnet for attracting visitors to appreciate the specialness of the place and experience the community/heritage assets year round. 

Gentrification by building a block of flats will never achieve this.

See also:
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >> Scoping Study consultation > Vision Group report 2012
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