CHESIL Beach Centre is one step closer to securing funding for an expansion costing £1million.

Proposals were given the go-ahead at a Weymouth and Portland Borough Council management committee meeting on Tuesday to help the centre pass its next hurdle in securing Heritage Lottery Funding.

Councillors have also agreed to contribute £60,000 towards the project, which should see a new entrance at the site with improved access for people with disabilities, as well as educational facilities and a lecture room for school and college groups. It is hoped the facilities will showcase the area in time for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Following national cutbacks in 2009, South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) withdrew its funding to World Heritage Visitor Centres across the Jurassic Coast including a grant of £250,000 to the Chesil Beach Project.

A grant of £550,000 has now been approved by the Heritage Lottery Fund for the expansion which amounts to 50 per cent of the costs of the proposed project. The Crown Estate, which freeholds the land, has also agreed to contribute £150,000 along with the borough council’s contribution of £60,000.

Government grants of £33,700 have also been received and there is a possibility of further contributions.

Now councillors have given the project the green light for Chesil Beach Centre to begin the next stage in securing the lottery funding.