MORE than 550 new homes could be developed if a major scheme on Portland is backed by planners.

The Hardy complex of former naval accommodation, off Castle Road, has been empty since the Royal Navy pulled out of Portland in the mid-1990s.

Now London-based Rossmark Properties has submitted a planning application to Weymouth and Portland council for permission to convert the old accommodation blocks and build more blocks of new flats as well.

There are plans to convert 363 existing flats, build 191 new ones and make 657 parking spaces. The scheme also includes a shop, a gym and a caf-bar.

Delighted Weymouth and Portland community regeneration chairman, Coun David Harris, said today: "The housing situation in Weymouth and Portland is pretty dire, so it is excellent news that these derelict buildings are going to be introduced back into the economy.

"We need to ensure that as many of these flats as possible are available to local residents and that they are not all being marketed as second homes for others to enjoy our marvellous scenery while still leaving us with a tremendous housing problem."

Weymouth and Portland Mayor Coun Hazel Bruce agreed and said: "It is certainly good news that these buildings are not going to be allowed to get more and more derelict and that they are going to be brought back into use.

"It will also mean that people living there will use local facilities such as shops and restaurants which will be good for the local economy.

"It has always been such a pity to see the old accommodation blocks not being used, so I welcome some development there."

Weymouth and Portland planning manager Simon Williams said: "This is probably one of the largest number of homes for a development that we have had in recent years.

"The accommodation comprises the conversion of existing blocks of flats into new homes and new blocks of flats which would be built on land to the rear."

Jason Taverner of architects Corstorphine and Wright for developers Rossmark Properties of Comer Homes said: "This is an important development."

He added that the new proposals, which replace original ones for nearly 600 flats, would hopefully help Weymouth's accommodation problems.