RESIDENTS have scrutinised plans for a £30 million tourism and business development for Portland.

They were invited to comment on the Osprey Quay scheme at a public consultation held by Plymouth-based regeneration firm the Sutton Harbour Group.

The consultation, which attracted a strong turnout, was a chance for residents and business people to provide feedback on the plans.

Sutton Harbour Group staff also answered questions about the project.

The development - to be named Castle Court - would include a hotel, restaurant, shops, apartments, self-catering units, employment space and landscaped public area. It also promises to bring 300 jobs to the area.

Sailing squads competing in the 2012 Olympics would stay at the eight-acre site, next to Portland Castle in Castletown.

The South West Regional Development signed a deal with the Sutton Harbour Group to transform Osprey Quay into a year-round tourist destination.

Simon Cronk, head of projects at the Sutton Harbour Group, said the scheme is about creating a quality environment for Portland.

He said: "We have gone for innovative buildings based on a modern design.

"This will help make Portland a place of excellence for sailing and will give Portland an edge. I expect some people with competing businesses will be worried about how it will affect them, but we are very conscious of the local business community and we are very keen to work with them."

Mr Cronk added that the scheme is designed to lure people from the sailing industry to the area.

"We want sailors to live here and sail here and run businesses from here.

"This scheme is unique. There's not one like this anywhere in the world."

Members of the public viewed detailed drawings of the development's buildings, a 3-D model and a master plan of the site.

Weymouth residents Paul and Jo Barrow said they approved of the scheme.

Mr Barrow said: "I don't think something like this would cause a great deal of obstruction to anyone.

"It seems to be more appropriate to the area than the Weymouth Pavilion scheme."

But Tophill resident Beryl Bray thinks the scheme ignores the majority of Portland residents.

"Portland has always been an island of the people," she said.

"I don't want to see such a large area given over to the sailing fraternity who only want to come and go for weeks at a time."

A completed planning application for Castle Court is expected to be submitted by January 2008 and, if permission is granted, building work would begin in summer 2008 and be completed by autumn 2009.

Today is the last day of the public consultation at the Aqua Hotel in Castletown, where Castle Court plans will be on show between 11am and 5pm.