A PROPOSAL for Dorset and East Devon National Park has left out Weymouth and Portland, despite claiming to ‘encompass the full extent of the World Heritage Jurassic Coast’.

At a meeting of Portland Town Council’s Marine, Environment and Tourism Partnership, the island’s representative for the national park bid Douglas Pigg put forward the case for the council to back the proposal – despite Portland not actually falling in the proposed national park area.

Mr Pigg said: “We see Weymouth and Portland very much as a gateway to the national park. There would be a lot of spill-over in tourism.”

It is estimated that 30 per cent of the national park spill-over goes into adjacent areas.

The campaigners believe a National Park would boost local communities, the economy, jobs and tourism and bring £10 million of funding to the area.

Mr Pigg said: “It would bring lots of jobs and opportunities, we would argue, to Portland.

“We want Dorset to keep the quality of the environment and a national park would help do that.”

The reason given for Weymouth being outside the proposed national park area was for the town being too ‘urbanised’ and because of the road network.

It is hoped Portland could argue to be included.

The group wants the park to cover the entire Isle of Purbeck and the Jurassic Coast from Exmouth to Poole Harbour, including the Dorset and East Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – which currently does not include Weymouth and Portland.

However, Mr Pigg said: “Keeping jobs for the young people is why I’m really interested.

“Tourism in Dorset has been declining against the national average. We would argue the National Park would help counter that.”

Mr Pigg added the status would give the area a “quality brand”.

He said: “We would argue that Dorset lacks a countywide USP. We think it would give Dorset an international destination status.”

The team behind the proposal believe the status would bring new channels and sources of income to the county, but it will take about six years to achieve the end goal.

Mr Pigg said the bid will not be successful without the backing of local councils.

He pleaded with members at the meeting saying: “You have to say you want it and fight for it.”

He added: “It’s a huge opportunity.”

Councillor Ray Nowak said: “I hope it becomes a reality. It would be great for the area, but it’s about how we get there and show our support.”

Chair of Portland Town Council, Cllr Sue Lees said the council will decide what to write to show support at the next council meeting.