Jobs hope as Osprey Quay development gets green light (From Thisisdorset)

Jobs hope as Osprey Quay development gets green light

1:00pm Tuesday 16th March 2010 in

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UP TO 50 jobs could be created now planning permission has been granted to build 17 new small business units at Osprey Quay on Portland.

The project is a partnership between the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA), which owns Osprey Quay, private developer Tidebank UK Ltd based in Hayling Island and Highglade Properties Ltd based in Bognor Regis.

A deal was signed between the RDA and developers for the small business units last year but this was subject to planning consent.

Now planning consent has been granted, it is estimated that up to 50 jobs could be created.

The Maritime Business Centre at Osprey Court will incorporate the units in three blocks that will be available to lease or buy.

These units will range in size from 117 square metres to 294 square metres and they will be aimed at enterprises in the marine sector.

Kevin Jones, director of Tidebank UK, said: “We have already had a lot of interest in the units at the Maritime Business Centre on Portland, including local companies who are looking to move to these fantastic new facilities once they’re built.”

Councillor Geoff Petherick, brief holder for economic development at the borough council, said: “We welcome this inward investment to the local economy and the contribution it will make to bringing in jobs to the area.

“It also underlines our strategy in putting Osprey Quay at the forefront of the regeneration of Weymouth and Portland.”

James Watt, the South West RDA’s development manager responsible for Osprey Quay, added: “The agency is delighted that this development will provide further opportunities for the growth of the vitally important marine sector in this area.”

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council maintains that the units will be designed to the highest environmental standards in construction.

Planning permission was voted for unanimously by borough councillors at a planning and traffic committee meeting.

At the meeting the committee heard how interest has already been shown into 13 of the 17 units. Most of this interest has been shown by local businesses.

Construction is expected to begin in the spring and be completed by the end of 2010.