TIME is running out to have your say on plans for the new Portland Academy at Southwell Business Park.

People have until next Wednesday to submit comments for the updated plans for the Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy at Southwell Business Park, Portland.

The plans are available to view at the Weymouth and Portland Borough Council planning website.

The Academy Trust temporarily withdrew its application for the site in December to allow time to address concerns raised about travel – and the revised plans also include measures to ensure the important ecological nature of the site is protected.

So far 24 comments have been submitted, some of which raise concerns about the site and issues including transport, while others are in support of the new plans for the Academy building.

Thomas Knight of Southwell commented on the plans. He said nobody seemed to be listening to the local people.

In his submission he said: “Please listen to the people who live here – this is clearly the wrong site.”

Peter Phillips, also of Southwell, said he supported the idea of the Academy but just not at the business park.

He said: “We should have an Academy but not there. I think it’s wrong and should be retained for employment.”

He added: “It’s alright training these youngsters but where will they work.”

But several comments were positive, stating the writer’s ‘full support’ for the Academy and the plans, another said the new Academy would be a ‘big asset to the community.’ The new submissions give details about how the academy plans to manage travel between the two proposed campuses.

It also gives more information about the provision of dedicated buses across Portland, as well as plans to encourage car sharing to ease any potential congestion.

Details are also given of highway improvements which will be undertaken as part of the Southwell Business Park development work, as well as cycle and pedestrian access to the site.

Speaking at the time the plans were submitted Dorset County Councillor for Portland Harbour Tim Munro said the application with the revised details about transport and environmental issues demonstrated the Academy Trust’s ‘commitment to and understanding of the local wishes and concerns.’ He said: “This demonstration of positive response to the communities concerns, augers well for the partnership of community and academy.”

The plans can be viewed at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s planning website, the application number for the Southwell proposals is WP/13/00101/FUL.