THE fight is on to site a coastguard supercentre in Dorset as the government’s consultation closes.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council yesterday submitted a 20-page document to Under Secretary of State for Transport Mike Penning, the government and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), setting out why South Dorset would be the perfect place to site the new centre.

The second phase of the coastguard consultation has now closed. Under the consultation nine coastguard stations, including Portland Coastguard Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre would be axed and a new supercentre would be built in Southampton or Portsmouth.

But plans to site the supercentre in the Solent are not set in stone.

The borough council proposal included five buildings where the coastguard supercentre could be sited, they are: Pullman Court in Dorchester, Flag Officer Sea Training building at Portland Port, Southwell Business Park, Osprey Quay on Portland and Link Park development at Chickerell.

Benefits of siting the supercentre in the area laid out in the bid include the £16million Weymouth Transport Package and good transport links, high-speed broadband services and the historical maritime links the area has.

The borough council’s bid backs up the Dorset Echo’s campaign to site the supercentre in the area which was presented to 10 Downing Street with 22,152 signatures.

The petition is currently under consideration.

Chairman of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council management committee, Mike Goodman said that it was a great document that highlighted what Weymouth and Portland had to offer.

He said: “It is the result of a lot of hard work by staff to pull together all the information.

“We are rightfully proud that it has come together so well.

“It’s a very powerful proposal. We have given facts and figures and opportunities.”

He added: “The Dorset Echo campaign has shown the public support for the supercentre.

“The two together will hopefully have a powerful effect.”

The borough council said it would give full support to the MCA if it were to site the supercentre in the borough.

Backing the document are West Dorset District Council and Dorset County Council.

The county council voted in support of the document at this week’s Cabinet meeting.

County Council Director for Environment Miles Butler said: “It’s an opportunity to raise the issue that Dorset would be a very good place for the supercentre.

The possible locations

• PULLMAN COURT IN DORCHESTER: A modern three-storey office building close to Dorchester South Railway station. Owned by Dorset County Council and available for purchase or lease from 2011/12.

BENEFITS: Elimination of new build costs, reduced modification requirements, savings through long term rental negotiation and rapid availability.

• FLAG OFFICER SEA TRAINING BUILDING AT PORTLAND PORT: Approximately 15,000sqm over four floors. Portland Port would undertake £1million refurbishment of building and adjacent area which would offer the opportunity for the layout of the facility to be specifically tailored to the requirements of the supercentre.

BENEFITS: Existing building available on long term lease and available immediately, it was specifically designed as a command and control centre.

• SOUTHWELL BUSINESS PARK: Either a new build site or an office area in a wing of the main hotel building.

BENEFITS: Inside a secure fenced area with extensive car parking, served by super-fast broadband and with panoramic views of the coastline.

• Osprey Quay ON PORTLAND: New build land available for development on the 33 hectare park.

BENEFITS: Close to the Portland helicopter base, super-fast broadband, close to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

• LINK PARK DEVELOPMENT IN CHICKERELL: New build land with the potential to choose the size of the plot required.

BENEFITS: Infrastructure work is starting this month, 360 car parking spaces and super-fast broadband.