A BLUEPRINT for the future of the former naval air station at Portland was revealed today.

The bold vision for regenerating the area after the departure of the Royal Navy features a range of proposals. They include providing greater scope for marine industry to come to the island, more leisure facilities for Sailing and other outdoor pursuits, and new housing development.

Regional Development Agency chiefs launched the master plan for Osprey Quay - Dorset's biggest-ever regeneration initiative - during a visit to Portland by trade minister Richard Caborn MP.

Mr Caborn unveiled the first boat to be produced by one of Portland's flagship businesses, American yacht building giant Lurs Marine, at a ceremony this morning.

South West RDA deputy chairman, Jeremy Pope, said the master plan for Osprey Quay would "provide tremendous benefits to the marine and leisure and tourism sectors in the region."

Mr Pope outlined plans drawn up in partnership with Weymouth and Portland Borough Council to give the area a new lease of life. He said the redevelopment would be a "mixed use scheme, led by marine industry, sailing and other supporting compatible uses."

Job creation is a key aim of the proposals, he said. They are expected to generate hundreds of jobs by attracting new businesses to the island.

The 80-acre Osprey Quay site will provide scope for 25 acres of employment land and 10.7 acres for marine leisure use.

A total of 24 acres will be given over to playing fields, public open spaces and roads, and 11.8 acres will be set aside for an improved coastguard facility and helicopter runway.

A four-acre site next to Portland Castle will be provided for leisure and tourism, and five acres will be allowed for a family housing development of up to 77 new homes.

Access to the sailing and watersports area will be from a newly-created roundabout on the Portland Beach Road (top left of the picture above).

Portland has already been successful in attracting new businesses. Lurs Marine, which set up on the island last year, will employ 45 people by the end of February - the company expects that to grow to 100 by the end of this year.

Richard Caborn unveiled the first Legend 290 boat to be built by Lurs Marine on Portland today. Five yachts are currently under construction, with another model due to begin production in March. By the end of 2001, the company expects to be producing a total of five different types of boat on Portland.

Coun Brian Ellis, chairman of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's economic and tourism promotion committee, said: "I am proud that the council has played a major role, together with the South West RDA, in this inward investment project.

"This is an excellent start to the regeneration of Osprey Quay and further assists with Weymouth and Portland's economic renaissance following the departure of the Royal Navy."

Also on show today was a boat built for the parents of Olympic medal winner Ian Percy, who trained at the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy.

The blueprint for Osprey Quay will be on show to the public at the Victoria Building, near the entrance to the former air station, tomorrow from 4pm until 7.30pm, and on Friday, February 16, and Monday, February 19, from 9am until 5pm.