500 new jobs set to be created on Portland

A proposal to build six large industrial units on land near the sailing academy in Hamm Beach Road has been given outline planning permission by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

The units will be a mixture of offices, general industrial buildings and storage or distribution warehouses and it is predicted that up to 530 jobs could be created when it is finished. Members of the planning and traffic committee approved the proposal at a meeting on Wednesday.

Neil Denison, of WYG Planning and Environment, planning agent for the project, spoke at the meeting and said they have had discussions about occupiers.

He said: “This application is an important stage in the regeneration of the site and we are dedicated to the redevelopment of the site and are in discussions for occupiers and future employment.”

The land, owned by the Homes and Community Agency, is part of the former Mere Tank Farm site and is currently used for vehicle and boat parking by the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

There would be around 13,700 square metres of buildings which would create a ‘substantial number of new jobs for local people’, according to the application.

Members spoke in favour of the project and said job opportunities are much-needed in the local area.

Councillor Anne Kenwood said: “What has been done so far with the sailing centre and restaurant on this site has been done very well indeed. It’s quite impressive.”

Councillor Mark Tewkesbury said: “This is about continuous growth in the area and it’s well needed so I will support this application.”

However t h e r e w e r e c o n - cerns about t h e appearance of the development due to the prominent location of the site.

Councillor Sandy West said: “I have reservations about the style of the industrial units. The site could look better than it does.”

Mayor of Portland Sylvia Bradley said: “I think it’s fantastic these jobs are being created.

“Hopefully it will materialise sooner rather than later because the job situation here is quite poor and hopefully the jobs can be directed at people on the island who are unemployed because there are quite a few. If it comes off it will be absolutely great.

“I’m over the moon about it because it’s what we really need on Portland. We didn’t get all that much from the Olympics so anything we can get for the people of Portland is great.”

The application was given planning permission on the condition the developer pays £80,000 to the county council for the improvement of the cycling and walking route along Portland Beach Road.

HUNDREDS OF JOBS COME TO BOROUGH

THERE are hundreds of job opportunities coming to the Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester area.

The first phase of the Weymouth Gateway development will create 400 posts.

There are 55 posts at the new Beefeater restaurant at the site.

There will be hundreds more posts available at the £60million Mercery Road development in the coming months, with the new Sainsbury’s store due to open by the autumn.

Work is due to get underway on the store this spring. The supermarket chain will bring 400 full and part time jobs to the area. More than 100 jobs are being created as restaurants open at the Brewery Square development in Dorchester.

Wagamama, Pizza Express and Zizzi will be the latest businesses to throw open their doors at Brewery Square – with each predicted to employ around 40 or 50 people.

Employment opportunities are also opening up at the newly reopened Brewers Quay in Weymouth.

ISLAND RESIDENTS THROW BACKING BEHIND PROPOSED PROJECT PORTLAND residents and businesses have welcomed the news of the job opportunities.

Tina Thomas, Castletown Residents and Businesses Association, said the development will especially benefit young people in the area.

She said: “Portland needs jobs and infrastructure. There’s been quite a lot of housing built here so it’s great news. This sort of light industry could be great for our young people with skilled and semi-skilled jobs.

“The only thing that concerns me is that the Osprey Quay site has taken other businesses out of the local area that have moved from the Granby Industrial Estate or Southwell Business Park but if they are creating 500 jobs it’s fantastic news. As far as the economy is concerned it has fallen on hard times so it’s great that this development has been approved.

“This will be brilliant for the people of Portland.”

Helen Dolby, of Castletown Stores, said it is great news for the island.

She said: “This is really good.

“Anything that can bring jobs to the area, and therefore business, has got to be a positive thing.

“It’s great news and we need to make sure that we can show what Portland has to offer.

“Having lots of new housing is no good if we haven’t got occupations or employment for the people coming in, so this is a double whammy of good news.”