Plans for the development of the marina for Osprey Quay were unveiled by the SWRDA, which owns the site, earlier this month.

Private developers are being invited to create and operate the marina, which would offer ready access to both the open sea, and the sheltered waters of Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay.

The SWRDA says the successful developer will have to seek consent from the planning and harbour authorities for permission to build the marina.

Commercial property consultant Vail Williams is handling the disposal of the site, and hopes to appoint a developer this summer.

The project is a rare opportunity to develop a major marina on the south coast of England and several large marina operators have already expressed strong interest.

The new facility will become closely linked to the operation of the new £6.4 million Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy, which began construction in October 2003.

The announcement of the proposed new marina coincides with the commencement of the second phase of infrastructure works at the former Royal Naval Air Station site. Visitors to the Island will begin to see the landmark development take shape during 2004 as construction of the Academy is completed.

Proposals for the remainder of Osprey Quay include high-quality workspace buildings that will form a gateway to the site and to the island, new housing, and leisure developments focused on the marine sector.

Osprey Quay is already home to a variety of international businesses including the European headquarters of one of the world's largest boat builders, US-owned Hunter Marine Corporation (which trades as Luhrs Marine Ltd in the UK).