MORE than 20 organisations have joined forces in Dorset to orchestrate the smooth running of the sailing competition and associated events for the London 2012 Games.

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been described in organisation and resource terms as ‘the largest single project undertaken in the UK for over 70 years.’ A series of working groups in the county, collectively known as the Weymouth and Portland 2012 Operations Group, have the responsibilities of transport, visitors, culture, health and safety, communications, safety and security and volunteering.

Key contacts’ for each of the groups will be bringing insight to their activities through a weekly column in the Dorset Echo.

Here’s Simon Williams, head of Weymouth and Portland 2012 Operations: THIS week saw the sun shining for the ‘topping out’ ceremony for the Olympic Village at Officers Field, Osprey Quay on Portland.

This project dates back as far as 2002 when the South West Regional Development Agency was given planning permission by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council to develop housing on the site.

Subsequently ‘Zero C’, which has experience of building in Poundbury and also in Weymouth, purchased the site and entered into a contract with the London 2012 organisers to use the houses temporarily to provide accommodation for Olympic and Paralympic sailing athletes during the London 2012 Games.

The development is now well underway with LOCOG expected to take over the properties in early 2012 well ahead of the Games, demonstrating once again that as with the sailing academy, work on Portland has progressed and will be completed well in advance of the start of London 2012 Games in July 2012.

Following the Games, the properties will be then be finished as commercial housing, with 25 per cent being made available to a registered landlord for social housing needs.

This development therefore represents an accelerated investment on Portland at a time when the building industry nationally has been suffering from one of the worst recessions in living memory.

Although not without its local critics, the Zero C development is attractively laid out, with a central courtyard as well as a large area of open space, which will be available for use by the new residents, the people of Underhill, and pupils at the new Chesil School, which is currently under construction, adjacent to the housing site.

From the outside, people have said the development seems very dense but the new houses are deceptively spacious, a really nice design.

There’s a really good use of Portland stone and a mix of materials, they’re modern yet reflect the character of the area.

I think one of the benefits of having the village here in Osprey Quay is the close proximity of the academy and that it is still within the community of Underhill which we know the athletes value as many stayed here during the test event.

The new Chesil School will also be used by LOCOG during Games time to provide a social area and dining facilities for the athletes, following which it will then be completed as a new local primary school. Together with the regeneration of Osprey Quay, the sailing academy and Portland Marina, these developments represent a significant financial investment on Portland with further development opportunities being sought by local authorities and agencies.