Marine centre jobs hope

10:28am Wednesday 20th August 2008

WEYMOUTH and Portland is battling with rival south coast towns for a new government marine centre that would create up to 400 jobs.

The Marine Bill currently going through Parliament includes a proposal for the creation of a Marine Management Organisation headquarters.

It would become the national centre for maritime planning, conservation and licensing.

Councils, business leaders and South Dorset MP Jim Knight are lobbying to bring it to Dorset - possibly at Osprey Quay - but they face a fight against Southampton and Plymouth.

Dorset County Council has expressed an interest in hosting the headquarters by highlighting the specialist facilities on offer in Poole and Bournemouth as well as Weymouth and Portland.

Mr Knight stressed that a decision about the centre was some way off but said he was doing what he could at the moment to ensure that the borough was in the frame' when the issue did come up.

He has highlighted such facilities such as the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Portland Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Weymouth College, which offers foundation degrees in marine- related subjects.

Mr Knight said: "I have had initial discussions with Jonathon Shaw, who is the minister responsible for the bill, as it is obvious there would need to be some kind of headquarters.

"We have got some excellent facilities such as Cefas, but it's very early days.

"Until the Bill has been through Parliament they are not going to make any decision about where it is based.

"There would be a few contenders and what I am trying to do is just get the idea in people's mind that Weymouth could be in the frame.

"We have got the maritime expertise and logically there are many reasons why we should be pitching for it, but we just have to concentrate our efforts at the right time."

If the base was to come to Weymouth it would create more than 300 direct jobs at the headquarters, plus more in suppliers and contractors.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's planning manager Simon Williams said the authority would be keen for the centre to be built in the area and he added that they had already identified a site that would be a strong contender.

He said: "We think Osprey Quay would be an ideal location for this building to be based.

"I have spoken with the South West of England Regional Development Agency and we would very much like to put ourselves forward for this.

"It would sit well with all the other marine bases in the area."

Peter Scott, chief executive of the Dorset Business group, said: "The news of a major agency such as this considering coming to Dorset is very welcome.

"The local authorities have devoted considerable effort to showcasing Dorset as an attractive and viable location for Government agencies looking to relocate outside of London, and the implications for job creation and economic uplift are particularly appropriate in the prevailing uncertain business climate.

"Our business community already includes some stars in the marine sector, and Britain's current Olympic successes should also help focus public interest on matters marine and maritime".