Ainslie plans for UK America’s Cup hub anger locals

Sir Ben Ainslie, who competed in Bermuda in the last Argo Gold Cup, has outlined controversial plans to have his America’s Cup racing base in Portsmouth.

The plans have been met with opposition following the formation of a committee looking to fight the proposals.

Old Portsmouth is one of two locations under consideration by Ainslie for an event that Bermuda is bidding to stage. 

But some locals have spoken out  against the futuristic design of the proposed 25m-high building in a recent meeting at the Royal Naval Club.

 Committee chairman Malcolm Hill claims that Portsmouth City Council was rushing through the planning process for the site.

Speaking to The News, he said: “I don’t like the way this has been railroaded through and taken as a fait accompli. 

“The public seems to have been kept out of it. From the number of people at the meeting, this is clearly a sensitive issue.”

 A Ben Ainslie Racing spokesperson said: “We understand everyone will have differing views on the design of the building, some people are very positive to the modern design. 

“Within Portsmouth there is a great mix of old and new architecture that sits together well and this is a further example of the same.”