PLANS to develop a disused quarry on Portland into a holiday park complex have been unveiled.

Portland Stone Firms Ltd is proposing to build a holiday park and leisure complex for 400 families at Coombefield Quarry, between Southwell and Weston.

The development, estimated to cost £3-5million, would create 20 full-time and 120 seasonal jobs as well as giving a boost to local businesses and tourism.

Tim Clotworthy, estates manager at the company, said he hopes it will be a positive thing for the island. He said: “It’s all quite exciting and will be a really positive thing for Portland, we’ve had an incredibly positive response from locals so far.

“There will be fantastic job opportunities for the local people and these visitors will all spend money in the area of Easton.

“It will be a quality tourist destination for Portland, what could be wrong with that?

“Over the last five or six years we have been looking at various schemes for this disused area.”

As well as 250 static caravans, 110 holiday lodges and 35 camping pods, the plans also include leisure facilities, such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a cafe and a bar.

The leisure facilities will be open to locals at a discounted rate.

There will also be a BMX park, climbing centre, nature reserve and a new ground for Portland Town Football Club.

Mr Clotworthy said: “The new climbing centre is for the islanders, it’s what locals have said they want.

“There will be a nature conservation belt which we’re hoping a local conservation group will take on.

“We want locals to use the facilities as well, the swimming pools and climbing walls will be open to them at a discount rate.”

He added: “It’s all down low in the quarry so you won’t be able to see it. Residents looking out over the land will be able to see some of the lodges but all the caravans will be in the quarry.”

Portland Stone Firms Ltd, based at Easton Street, Portland, is aiming to submit a planning application in October.

Environmentally friendly

Environmentally friendly features of the development will include:

  • Energy efficient materials 
  • Low energy lighting
  • Rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation 
  • Optimum solar gain for the main hub
  • SUDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) surface water drainage
  • Ground source/Air source heat pumps
  • Recycled growing medium for landscaped areas
  • Recycled waste management