PORTLAND could be getting a brand new 51-space car park along with new business units as part of a renewed bid to regenerate the area.

Agincare Ltd has lodged an application for two blocks of two storey business units on land known as plots X1 and X2 at Mulberry Avenue, Castletown.

A planning statement submitted as part of the plans reveals that developers want to build two buildings each comprising three class B1 office style units on the first floor and up to six B1/B8 light industrial or storage units on the ground floor, with associated parking for 31 vehicles, and public parking for 20 cars.

The plans have already attracted criticism from Portland Town Council, although they are supported by Weymouth Civic Society.

The application is a revised scheme, after an original plan drew criticism from Historic England due to the proximity to Portland Castle.

The application states that the plans ‘mark a further phase in the commitment of the Agincare Group to the regeneration of the Castletown area’.

It adds: “This company have of course already successfully completed the regeneration of Admiralty Buildings including the development of the D-Day Centre, the development of Crabbers Wharf and of Bosuns Block and the refurbishment of a number of existing buildings in Castletown itself. They have also pioneered the statues on the Mulberry Harbours and are currently working on an underwater adventure park.”

If the plans are approved, the units will be let separately or in combination in response to the needs of local small businesses.

Lodging their objection to the proposal, a Portland Town Council spokesman said: “Portland Town Council object to this application on the grounds that the proposed building would not be in keeping with the area. Further Portland Town Council wish it to be noted that they welcome employment to the area but structures supporting this employment must be sympathetic to design, scale and materials of the previous buildings on this site (red brick).”

Dorset County Councils Highways team has confirmed it has no objections, subject to conditions.

And Pru Bollam, speaking as chairman of the planning and environment committee for Weymouth Civic Society, welcomed the plans.

She said: “We are very pleased to see the improved layout for this development, with the benefit of a public car park and with the business units set further away from the Memorial Garden, the harbourside walkway and Portland Castle.

“We are slightly unclear from the plans as to the exact appearance of the materials for the two proposed buildings, but in the general location, we would still hope for materials more suitable to the general marine/recreation character of the harbourside area, such as at Portland Marina, rather than simple cladding.”

People are welcome to have their say on the application by visiting the Dorset For You planning portal by January 3. The proposal will be discussed by the Weymouth and Portland planning committee at a date to be confirmed.