A PUBLIC consultation on plans for hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Sailing will begin in Wey-mouth and Portland today to enable residents to have their say.

The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) is holding three exhibitions and three drop-in events prior to submitting its applications for planning permission to the borough council in October.

In order to stage the sailing events in 2012, LOCOG needs to apply to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council for permission to install temporary buildings, marquees, tents and cabling at the national sailing academy.

Further planning applications, expected to be submitted in December, will be for the temporary use of ZeroC housing development at Officers Field, Portland, as athletes’ accommodation for the 2012 Games sailing events.

The ‘Weymouth and Portland Sailing Village’ plans include additional temporary facilities to cater for more than 500 competitors and officials.

James Bulley, LOCOG director of venues, described the site as ‘perfect’ for their needs and said the new Chesil Cove Primary School to be developed by Dorset County Council, adjacent to Officers Field, would provide the ideal dining facility for competitors.

He added that the Games had already boosted the borough’s profile as ‘some of the best sailing waters in Northern Europe, set against the backdrop of a World Heritage Site’ and the event would put Weymouth and Portland on the world map.

At the consultation, plans will also show the five Olympic sailing competition areas and two Paralympic sailing competition areas.

The proposed plan to manage the waters at Games-time will also be available to view at the exhibitions.

Rob Andrews, LOCOG sailing manager, said: “If you look back at the Games in China and Athens, they effectively closed the water.

“That was never an option for us. We wanted to work with the local community and to have as little impact as possible.

“Because the previous two Games closed the water, there were no visiting yachtsmen so we’re undertaking research to see how many to expect.

“We’re working with the Portland Harbour Authority, Weymouth Harbour Authority, Dorset Police and the Maritime Coastguard Agency to consult user groups and stakeholders and to tease out some of the issues.”

He added: “Our two objectives are to have an absolutely fair competition and to keep access open for berthholders in the area.”

MEMBERS of the public are invited to view and comment on LOCOG plans at the following locations:

The Boat That Rocks restaurant, Portland Marina on Thursday July 29 from 4pm until 8pm.

The Boat That Rocks on Friday July 30 from 12pm until 4pm.

Weymouth Pavilion, on Saturday July 31 from 11am until 3pm.

Drop-in sessions will also be hosted by LOCOG:

Easton Gardens, Portland on Thursday July 29 from 4pm until 6pm and Friday July 30 from 12pm until 2pm

New Bond Street, Weymouth on Saturday July 31 from 11am until 1pm.

Plans will also be available online from midday on Thursday July 29 at london2012.com/weymouthandportlandconsultation.

Comments can also be made by calling LOCOG on the Freephone number 0800 198 2012, or by writing to Freepost 2012 Games.