Construction work has begun on the £21m Portland Marina development.

The 600-berth marina is part of the Osprey Quay at Portland and work will include the construction of a new inner breakwater as well as the reclaiming of just under two acres of land from the sea.

Portland Marina will act as the cornerstone of the South West of England Regional Development Agency’s (SWRDA) transformation of Osprey Quay into a major marine sector hub on the south coast.

When completed, the 50,000sq m (535,000sq ft) project will boast a hotel, shops, cafes, restaurants and a network of public and private transport links.

A range of occupiers are already on site and further sites are being progressively released for development, guided by a master plan to ensure a high quality mixed use destination.

The master plan focuses on the marine sector, with the site already being home to a Sailing Academy which has been selected as the site for the sailing events in the London 2012 Olympics.