A DORSET county councillor for Portland has called for the county council to take the Jurassica project ‘seriously’.

Cllr Paul Kimber, who represents Portland Tophill, said he wanted the county council to get on board.

The Jurassica project aims to create a prehistoric attraction in the old Yeolands quarry on Portland to showcase the Jurassic Coast.

The scheme could create 200 jobs and attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. It is estimated to cost in the region of £65 to 75 million.

High-profile backers include Sir David Attenborough and the Eden Project’s Sir Tim Smit.

Speaking at a meeting of Portland Town Council, Cllr Kimber said: “What I want the county council to do is really take this seriously and get on board.

“The borough is knowledgeable. This council is knowledgeable. Now I want the county council – the big player – to get on board.”

Cllr Kimber admitted serious questions still needed to be asked about the project.

He said: “I believe it is a very, very exciting project but it is one project that we have really got to ask a lot of questions.

“They gave us presentations at the local school. I think they were absolutely first class. There’s the potential of jobs and a great future for Portland.

“What we have to sort out is whether the road system can take it, whether the parking can take it and all those areas.”

Cllr Andy Matthews said the latest draft of the Local Plan still had not taken transport properly into consideration.

He said: “The Local Plan doesn’t recognise transport corridors. That’s the worry. The plan was put together a couple of years ago and it still doesn’t recognise the potential need for transport corridors within the planning period.

“The plan needs to be updated in terms of that even if it is only a contingency policy. You need a contingency plan around the road corridors.”

Cllr Ray Nowak said the scheme was ‘only a dream’ for the time being.

He said: “They have got a little bit of money to research it. Let’s get really excited when they get lottery funding approved.

“There are some more immediate issues that are affecting the island.”