Weymouth & Portland Borough Council is asking Portland residents to have their say on conservation areas across the island during a public consultation this summer.

Residents are being given the chance to say what they think about studies on the character of the Grove, Underhill, Portland (Easton, Reforne, Straits & Wakeham) and Weston conservation areas during the consultation between Monday 23 June and Monday 4 August.

Conservation areas are places of special architectural or historic interest that are protected to ensure people can continue to enjoy their character for years to come.

The borough council is responsible for deciding which places in Weymouth and Portland should be conservation areas and for ensuring that their special qualities are safeguarded.

Ian Roebuck, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council brief holder for Environment and Sustainability, said: "This is a great opportunity for people to have their say on areas of historic importance on Portland.

“We value the public’s feedback and the comments will be used to shape the final report.”

The consultation is open from Monday June 23 to Monday August 4 and you can view the studies and make comments by visiting www.dorsetforyou.com/conservation-area/weymouth-and-portland Studies and comment forms are also available at the Royal Breakwater Hotel, Castletown; The Paper Shop, Fortuneswell and Tophill Library, Straits.

Officers from the borough council will also be on hand to answer questions on the studies at: • St George’s Centre, Reforne on June 25 from 9am to 7pm • St John’s Church Hall, Fortuneswell on July 2 from 9am to 7pm.

For more information email planning@westdorset-weymouth.gov.uk or phone the borough council’s Assistant Conservation Officer Shelley Saltman on 01305 252388.