Hundreds of new homes for Portland are on the way, as a landmark development enters its second phase.

The Ocean Views development comprises nearly 350 new homes: 157 apartments in an adapted former naval accommodation block in Castletown, plus 191 new homes at the rear of the same site.

The project comes on the heels of the initial redevelopment of an adjacent former naval accommodation block, Atlantic House, which was turned into a block containing 206 flats.

Now developer Fulca Ltd., a subsidiary of landowner Comer Group, is set to forge ahead with the second phase of the development, investing more than £25 million into the hundreds of new homes.

The project is able to go ahead after Weymouth & Portland Borough Council was successful in its bid, as part of its Opening Doors scheme, to secure £2.8 million in central government money in order to carry out land stabilisation work.

Work will begin next month, beginning with site clearance, surveying and some demolition work. Construction will then begin after detailed exterior designs are finalised; the first residents are expected to be in their new homes by late 2019 or early 2020.

The borough council's Opening Doors scheme, launched in partnership with West and North Dorset district councils, aims to secure 20,000 new homes for for the combined areas by 2033.

Cllr Ray Nowak, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s spokesman for the environment and sustainability, said he was 'very pleased' to note the progress on the development.

“Development will not only bring much-needed housing," said Cllr Nowak, "but will also represent a major step forward in the regeneration of Castletown.”

Cllr Gill Taylor, the council's housing spokesman and deputy mayor of the borough, added that the news was 'a major boost' to the Opening Doors scheme.

“New housing will help more people into homes of their own and also support the growth of the local economy, not only for Portland but for the rest of the borough as well,” she said.

Cllr Jeff Cant, who is council leader and spokesman on finance and assets, said: “The partly completed Comer homes site overlooking Castletown has been a problem for several years.

“Castletown has great potential and we are delighted that the company has worked through all the obstacles with us over the last two years to achieve such a positive outcome.”

Robert Sheppard of the Comer Group expressed 'delight' at the firm's moving into the development's second phase.

“We have worked very closely with the council and appreciate its support and assistance to progress this site," he said.

“The active engagement and support of the council has been pivotal in securing the additional opportunity presented by HIF funding, illustrating quite markedly how the commitment of local councils can influence central government decisions positively to the benefit of their community.

“Ocean Views has the potential to deliver a significant number of properties to help the council meet need locally and reach its housing targets. We are very much looking forward to getting started.”