TWO major schemes for a boat park and a marina at Portland have been backed by planners.

The first by the Olympic Delivery Authority will create a boat park, slipways, a pier and a crane at the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy while the second will see Dean & Reddyhoff create a 650-berth marina nearby.

Both projects were given the go-ahead by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's planning committee.

Authority property director Ralph Luck said: "Securing planning approval is a significant step towards us delivering world-class sailing facilities that will benefit elite athletes and the community alike before, during and long after the Olympic Games in 2012."

Olympics minister Tessa Jowell - who visited Weymouth and Portland a few days ago - said: "Not only will this facility provide for outstanding facilities during the Games but also a sustained legacy that will extend not just to Weymouth and Portland but across the region, ensuring that sailing will remain at the heart of the sporting life of the south west."

And London 2012 Organising Committee chairman Sebastian Coe said: "This scheme will transform Weymouth and Portland from an existing top class venue into a world class training and competition venue equipped to stage major international sailing events and competitions before and after the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Councillors were told that breakwater work for the projects could get stone lorried in from elsewhere but using Portland Stone offered 'clear economic benefits' to the island.

Coun Anne Kenwood said: "I think an awful lot of trouble has been taken to make this right and I think it is going to work and be an asset for Weymouth and Portland."

Members were also told that the marina could create 21 construction jobs and 60 more jobs on site when it was finished.