THE owners of Portland's former naval blocks have pledged to make a start on long-awaited development work by the end of summer.

The director of Comer Homes - the firm that owns the rundown Hardy blocks in Castletown - has ended months of uncertainty by stepping up security at the controversial site.

Luke Comer also told Richard Burgess, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's director of environmental services, that he intends to begin transforming the buildings into luxury flats in less than three months.

Mr Burgess welcomed the move and has described it as 'progressive'.

He said: "Luke Comer is looking again at the internal plans and elevation details and said he hoped to start development at the end of summer.

"We are pleased to see that further security measures have been taken and are pressing them for an early strip of the buildings to get rid of any inflammable items."

Holes in the perimeter fence have been blocked up and the gates have been secured, with warning notices put up to keep out trespassers.

Comer Homes has appointed a local agent to consult with Dorset Police, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service and Portland Town Council, who all want security upgraded after youths broke in and sparked fires earlier this year.

John Mullins, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service group manager for West Dorset and Portland, said: "We have been in touch with Greenfield Property Services, the representatives acting on behalf of Comer Homes and I am due to meet with one of their security officers next week.

"We have to remember it is costing them thousands but they are not seeing any benefits.

"So far they have improved safety on the front entrance, repaired holes in the fence and put up security signs on the exterior.

"They might also install CCTV cameras, remove the old furniture outside, get rid of all the rubbish and generally reduce the risk posed to youngsters who think it's fun to trespass there."

Mr Mullins said police officers had been patrolling the site after fresh reports of break-ins.

He added: "If anyone sees people on that site they should phone the police straight away who will visit the site to make sure they have gone because it is so dangerous there."

No one at Comer Homes, was available to comment.