IT’S TAKE-OFF – approval has been granted for the expansion of the Portland heliport site.

Dorset councillors unanimously agreed the ‘in principle’ proposal for a large hanger, close to the waterside, with accommodation and training areas for pilots and crew.

There had been concerns about the effects the expansion would have on nearby residents, the environment and Portland Castle but it was said there was unlikely to be any increase in flying, or the hours the site was in use.

An area planning committee heard that most of the expansion related to a new four-storey building, alongside existing commercial buildings, for the service and maintenance of helicopters, most of which were brought to the site by road.

Planning officers acknowledged concerns about helicopter engine noise and pollution worries but said neither issues were the subject of the planning proposal and the site currently had no limits on flying times.

Portland councillors Paul Kimber and Sue Cocking both spoke in favour of the development saying it would bring skilled jobs and extra employment opportunities and a boost for the local economy.

Cllr Kimber asked for consideration to be given to reducing any likely noise from flying activities.

“When the Fleet Air Arm were there the Admiralty dealt with the noise issue by having two barges in the harbour where a lot of the landings and take-off took place, mitigating the noise for residents,” he said.

Urging fellow councillors to vote for the proposal Cllr Cocking said to go against would be to be voting down jobs: “This is of benefit to Portland and the wider area,” she said.

Support also came from Wyke Regis councillor Kate Wheller although she joked that her cat would appreciate any late night helicopters making their way straight out over the sea, rather than over nearby homes.

Around thirty public letters had opposed the proposal – some claiming the  building would be out of keeping with those nearby, although the new hanger is only slightly taller than the existing next-door commercial site.

More than a hundred letters had been written to Dorset Council in support of the plans, some pointing out that Portland has, for decades, been a helicopter base.

The new building will be able to accommodate three helicopters at a time, more if the rotor arms are not in place, for maintenance and servicing which can take up to four months at a time.

The proposal also allows for an increase from 32 to 70 parking spaces on the site.

The Osprey Quay site provides search and rescue training for UK and foreign aircrew as well as its maintenance and engineering work. Until 1999 it was part of the former Portland Naval Base with the site then used by search and rescue until June 2017.

HeliOperations company chief executive, Steve Gladstone, told councillors that the Portland site was the main base of three the company had in the country and said it provided significant economic benefits to the area, including 40 well paid local jobs, including apprenticeship opportunities, He said the business sourced materials and services from local companies when it could.

The new building will extend at a right angle from the existing hanger towards the harbour alongside Osprey Quay units 22-26 to the west. A large, glazed frontage, is planned overlooking the harbour with bedrooms and training rooms.

In addition to overnight accommodation the building will also have offices, crew rooms, a flight and winch simulator and equipment stores.