A DEVELOPMENT dedicated to affordable housing is being proposed for Portland - if Officers' Field is handed back to the community as part of a neighbourhood investment scheme.

Two Dorchester businessmen have come up with a plan to recapture the land for Underhill residents through the Community Land Trust scheme.

The suggested scheme would require the land - worth £2.5 million - to be sold to a developer at a reduced price of £275,000 by owners the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA).

The deal would ensure 55 affordable homes are built on the sports field at Osprey Quay, it is claimed, and would see elected Portland residents appointed as trustees of the land.

James Young and his partner Howard Johnson, who are both project management experts, have met with SWRDA and South Dorset MP Jim Knight to discuss the proposal.

Mr Young said: "We need to recognise there's a massive issue with affordable housing in Dorset.

"Even if people don't need affordable housing now, they may have children who are going to need it.

"So many people are being priced out of the area because they cannot afford to buy."

Since SWRDA put Officers' Field up for sale, residents have fought to keep it as a sports field.

A day of action was held in protest at the development plans.

Mr Young said: "I completely sympathise with those in the community who don't want the land built upon.

"But it's about realities and SWRDA has got planning permission for that land.

"I used to play on that field myself and would love to see it stay as a sports field but it's going to happen. Why should it just be going to a few select developers who are going to be making lots of money out of it?"

The Community Trust Land scheme makes arrangements for the Government to gift land to the local community.

If SWRDA chooses to sell the land under the scheme, Mr Young said, it would be a long-term investment in the community rather than a sale for short-term financial gain.

Mr Young added: "We all talk about the Olympics and the legacy it's going to leave, but in reality it will be a load of people coming into the area and it won't mean anything for the people of Portland.

"We argue that the key issue should not be the sale price of the land, but rather the value to the community that is realised from the sale of what is essentially a taxpayer asset."

A spokesman for SWRDA said all the bids for the site are being evaluated and a preferred bidder will be selected in June.

He added: "We've received several expressions of interest since we invited bids to create a low-carbon housing development on about half of the site earlier this year, having pledged to leave the other half as open space for the local community.

"It would be inappropriate to comment on a specific bid at this time. We have promised to involve the community in trying to strike the right balance between open space and new housing."

Mr Young and Mr Johnson plan to hold a public meeting in three weeks to discuss their proposal. They are appealing to anyone who can offer expertise or financial help to contact them on 01305 266908.