The future vision of a £25 million new homes development on Portland has been unveiled.

Hundreds of homes are planned for the former Hardy complex of naval blocks at Castletown, named Ocean Views.

A new image shows how the second phase of the landmark site will look once completed.

The image, from landowner Comer Group, shows the first phase of Ocean Views to the right, already converted into apartments in the Atlantic House scheme. An artist’s impression of the second phase can be seen on the left.

In this second phase, developer Fulca Ltd, a subsidiary of the Comer Group, is set to transform the building – which had stood derelict for years and labelled an 'eyesore' – into 157 apartments. It will also build 191 new build homes to the rear – making a total of 348 properties.

Added to the 206 flats in Atlantic House, there would be a total of 554 homes on the site.

Following clearance and surveying work, project managers are preparing the site before the next phase of activity begins later this year with work on the concrete superstructure of the building.

The first residents are due to move in late next year or early 2020.

There will not be any affordable homes provided – but it is hoped properties will be available at local market rates rather than as luxury homes.

The Comer Group and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council have been working together to take the project forward.

The progress comes after councils launched Opening Doors to secure 20,000 new homes for western Dorset by 2033.

Cllr Gill Taylor, borough council housing briefholder, said: “More housing of all kinds is desperately needed so it will be fantastic when the homes in the new images become reality.”

Jack O’Brien, senior project manager for the Comer Group, said: “The project is on track and progressing very well.

“We hope these new images will serve to whet the appetite as we look forward to developing this landmark site to deliver much needed housing for the area.

“We have some innovative ideas for the delivery of the project, which include using modular construction and potential delivery by sea.

“The support and engagement of the borough council has been key in forwarding this development and we look forward to progressing the scheme.”

Land stabilisation has been supported by a successful preliminary bid of £2.8m to the Government Housing Infrastructure Funding.

The Comer Group says entirely non-combustible products with the highest A1 rating will be used for the cladding of the buildings.

It also intends to use latest modular construction methods to create custom-built pods for rooms including bathrooms and kitchens which can be slotted into the structure with 'laser guided precision'.

Local labour would be used on the site, according to the Comer Group.

Affordable homes 'not viable'

ON THE issue of whether any affordable housing would be provided, Cllr Gill Taylor, borough council housing briefholder, said: “Full planning consent for the Ocean Views site was granted in 2004 and remains in place.

“It has been demonstrated by the developer that the scheme would not be viable were it to include affordable housing.

“This evidence was thoroughly tested and the opinion was upheld by the District Valuer who acted on behalf of the borough council.

“Planning obligations in the Ocean Views development have already contributed to the Boscawen Sport Centre, public art and refurbishment of the Merchant’s Incline pathway.

“The completion of the second phase of Ocean Views will support the long-term regeneration of Castletown with significant improvements to the character and setting of the area.

“The council has also been successful in a preliminary bid seeking £2.8m of Government Housing Infrastructure Funding (HIF) money for land stabilisation work at the site.

“Both the borough council and the Comer Group are keen to see the development provide homes which local people can afford, with properties available at local market rates rather than as luxury or second homes.”