Plans for a new community hub to be brought in to help improve a deprived area of Portland have taken a major step closer.

Dorset County Council (DCC) has agreed to dispose of Brackenbury Infants School in Fortuneswell to Portland Town Council (PTC).

The decision was made at the council's cabinet meeting on Wednesday and councillors believe the proposal for the site by PTC to transform it into a community hub will have significant community benefits to the island.

The school site has been vacant since 2013, when the infant school moved out of the premises to the newly constructed Chesil Cove School. The building was constructed in 1991 and is described in a council report as still being in "relatively good order".

DCC agreed the sale of an undervalue of £100,000 from PTC.

A comprehensive business case put forward by the town council listed the numerous functions the school site would be able to provide. These include offices, storage, a hall and car park use for Portland Town Council, an internet café, with assistance, providing computer and scanning facilities, adult education courses in skills for the workplace and a hall and a studio/classroom for hire to the community and service providers.

The hub would also provide a new larger location for Allsorts Nursery located adjacent to the current site including four large classroom areas, a larger play area as well as access to the hall so that children can participate in shared activities and also enabling Allsorts to expand their provision to include day-care for babies and toddlers and parent and toddler sessions linking with parenting skills activities and courses.

Speaking at the cabinet meeting, Cllr Lucy Grieve, said: "I fully support this and I would like to thank everyone for this, this will be a huge benefit to Portland."

Cllr Kate Wheller added: "There is an old saying - 'I love it when a plan comes together' - and that's what's happened here. I commend this recommendation."

Cllr Ray Nowak, chairman of PTC, stood at the end of the meeting to thank members of cabinet for their decision.

At a PTC meeting, also on Wednesday Easton resident Paul Snow congratulated the council on having their offer accepted.

"I think you have done well to get it through in the way you have. I was pleased to hear at the finance committee meeting that before any loan was applied for there would be due consultation with residents in reference to the precept," he said.   

Cllr Jim Draper confirmed the council's next steps would include a public consultation regarding loans and the precept.

"I am sure we will want to get all the public behind us now we have the go ahead," he said. 

PORTLAND COUNCILLORS REACT

Weymouth and Portland Borough councillor for Underhill, Sandy West said she was 'absolutely over the moon.'

"A lot of hard work went into it and it's going to be great for the community.  

"We've had a lot of not very nice comments about the council and we accept what people are saying but there's no way it can fail. It shows when we, the council, get the bit between our teeth we can achieve something great. 

"We've got a real chance now to do something in Portland and with the unitary authority coming it shows them we are capable of getting things done." 

Fellow councillor for Underhill, Paul Kimber said: "I think everyone has done very well today. The councillors have done phenomenally well to do something like this and it's going to be a tremendous benefit to the island.  

"We have had a bad year but now we are turning a corner. It will be in the proper place, where it is most needed."  

Speaking after the Portland Town Council meeting, chair of PTC Ray Nowak said: "I'm pleasantly surprised and relieved to be through phase one. This has put us on the map. We've got the respect of Dorset County Council and they are confident we can deliver it.  

It's good news for all of the island. Not only will we have a fit for purpose building for the council but a space that can bring services together.  

"We are applying for a Public Works Loan and a grant which will reduce the overall costs. Of that £100,000 will go to Dorset County Council but we now have an asset worth £375,000 – how can we lose? 

"At the end of the day, if five years down the road it doesn't work we will have an asset we can dispose of but I am confident it will work. 

"Currently, about 10 per cent of our precept goes on printing and the offices. In the longer term, 15 to 18 years down the road, we will own the building so it will reduce the precept and benefit the whole community."