THE first phase of a £30million leisure and tourism development at Osprey Quay on Portland has opened.

The £4million purpose-built complex for the Royal Yachting Association – RYA Portland House – was handed over by the developer the Sutton Harbour Group and the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA).

It is the first phase of Sutton Harbour’s £30million development on the Castle Court site on the RDA-owned Osprey Quay. RYA Portland House will be the hub of sailing for the British team.

Mike Wigley, who is RYA treasurer and chairman of the Portland Working Party, said: “We are delighted with the new RYA Portland House facility.

“We believe it’ll be instrumental in providing a performance advantage for our potential Olympic sailors in the run-up and during the 2012 Olympic Games.

“But as well as being earmarked for 2012 preparations, the facility will also be available for use by class associations, RYA personal members, members of affiliated clubs as well as berth-holder associations and Sailability for events, meetings, conferences, training and competition activities.”

The five-storey RYA Portland House includes a reception, meeting rooms, storage, shop, three floors of 24 bedrooms and a penthouse club room, bar and dining room. The RDA says that it is investing £40million in Osprey Quay and that the site already supports 300 jobs. It expects to create 1,400 jobs by 2016. The second phase of the Castle Court development will include units, a food store, hotel and a public space. A planning application is due to be submitted within a couple of months.

Councillor Geoff Petherick, economic development brief-holder at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said: “It is fantastic to witness the regeneration of Osprey Quay.

“The handover of RYA Portland House is another example of how the 2012 Games are transforming the area.”