A REVAMP is being planned at the Ferrybridge boatyard off the causeway road between Portland and Wyke Regis.

Billy Winter’s restaurant and bar earlier this month announced an upgrade for its business, which if approved, will add an extra floor to the building and improve its appearance.

This week changes are being requested to buildings alongside the bar and eatery, which, it is claimed, will further improve the appearance of the area. The proposal ask for the removal of the timber-clad Crossfit gym and changing rooms and showers and adjoining office buildings and workshop.

Planning permission is being sought from Dorset Council to create a new gym, office building and boatyard workshop to the south west of the boatyard, a structure which the planning papers say will be set lower, and be less visually intrusive, than the current buildings, one of which it describes as ‘an eyesore.’

“Although the scale of the proposed building appears to be larger in footprint than Ferrybridge Boatyard existing unit, the position of where we propose to locate these facilities will help reduce the size of the scheme visually. The proposed replacement building will be sat approximately 1.3m below the Portland Beach Road level, resulting in the new scheme to have a minimal disturbance to the Dorset coastal views,” said supporting documents from consultants, Fisher & Associates.

Comments on the proposals can be made via the Dorset Council website until November 13.

It is anticipated that the application will be decided by a planning officer rather than go before councillors for a decision.