Portsmouth Dockyard Closure

[gjbentley]

A recent thread on this forum informed us of a potential new waterfront stadium for Portsmouth FC. But some could not get their head around where it could be located.

Last month a representative from the South East Economic Development Adency (SEEDA) was minuted at a committee meeting to of said:

"SEEDA updated Members on the proposed closure of Portsmouth Dockyard under the current naval base review and there was discussion on the significant economic implications of this for the area. It was noted that SEEDA was working closely with the Navy, GOSE and other partners, had commissioned a research report in this area and would shortly be presenting its case to Downing Street. A stakeholder group, chaired by Sarah McCarthy-Fry, MP, had been established. The review would put forward its recommendations to Ministers at the end of March/early April with decisions expected in June/July."

So Portmsouth FC have been quick to see their opportunity.

Imagine Portsmouth without a Naval Dockyard ?

 

[Judders]

That's all well and good, but the plans as presented do not impinge on the dockyard and furthermore, the Navy does not have alternative capacity.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Great - more marina space. Prices will come down!

 

[Giblets]

There has been a wicked "rumour" doing the rounds for some time that the commercial port and part of the northern part of the Base will be sold off to permit cruise ships to use Portsmouth as an alternative to Southampton.

 

[Bergman]

"the Navy does not have alternative capacity."

There are two ways to solve that problem

One is to increase the capacity

The other ......................................................................................

 

[StugeronSteve]

Once the next round of cuts have been implemented the Navy will have no requirement for the extensive facilities of Portsmouth Dockyard.

The MOD have, therefore, managed to negotiate a good price for alternative accommodation in the empty marina berths available on the Hamble.

 

[aitchw]

The third is just to contract it all out to India or somewhere cheap. We don't need our own capability, do we?

Thinking about it, wouldn't it be much cheaper to subcontract all our defence requirement, personnel included. Sort of PFI for the forces, bit like Group4 and prisons.

Me, cynical? Nah.

 

[Sailfree]

I think we have already tried a bit of that and it was very successful. Its called the Gurkas!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[aitchw]

Especially cost effective when you don't have to pay their pensions /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Cornishman]

spelled GURKHAS, or it least it was when I was in the Commonwealth Brigade, 17th Gurkha Division in the 1960s