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Following his visit Sean introduced me to one of the top sustainable developers in the world so that we could explore the potential of the site even further. The developer, Pete Halsall, has visited Weymouth twice now to look at the peninsula site. The last time was on 8th January this year when he and I met with council officers. The biggest development Pete has orchestrated is in the North East of England and involved over £200m of investment that he helped to raise. He is regularly in China helping to develop sustainable new cities.
Pete has told me he is confident that if the council backed a social and sustainable development designed to use local developers, builders and materials under a legally agreed master plan then he could deliver the required investment funds.
Pete is closely connected to a very large social fund and other ethical investors. He is excited by the potential to transform Weymouth and keep investment funds in the community at the same time,
“The Pavilion site is well located, has tremendous views, and is brimming with potential. The re-opening of the ferry terminal will substantially increase footfall. Community should necessarily include the participants and those effected - in old speak stakeholders, but community is a better term because it keeps in mind the people who live and work at or near the site - as well as those who will live and work there in the future.
The key role for the regeneration developer and council is then one of enabling participation - both in terms of creating and sustaining a ‘community of interest’ - as well as in enabling local businesses, developers, and community groups to be part of the project as well.
We have rediscovered the public realm in the last 10 years - as well as becoming much more aware of the benefits of good design and architecture. People are drawn to places that are beautiful - we don’t have to look far for examples - Bath, Edinburgh, Barcelona - and there is the need to create a legacy of good design, as part of an ethic towards regeneration.
The site presents an opportunity to develop highly sustainable buildings which will have low levels of energy consumption and at the same time be very liveable, attractive and of lasting value.
There are opportunities to explore the renewable energy resources of the site and its surroundings and specifically with regard to wind, wave and solar energy. Sustainability has been hampered by increased costs but these added cost burdens are now reducing considerably as industry becomes more accustomed to the use and application of sustainable technologies and systems.
A high standard for environmental sustainability would provide the opportunity to show real leadership as well as delivering tangible benefits both in the short and long terms for the development. “
Watch Pete give a talk in his role as chairman of the Good Homes Alliance. Pete is keen to lead the charrette process in Weymouth.
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