A MASSIVE £1.8m scheme to build a harbour in Ventnor began construction this week.

The project is being paid for with money from the government's challange fund, the Isle of Wight Council, and the Department for environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and will provide a much needed shot in the arm for the town's fragile economy.

The huge scheme was welcomed by Ventnor councillor Brenda Lawson, who is also the Island council's spokeswoman for coastal issues.

She said: "This is wonderful news for Ventnor and we are looking forward to deriving the benefits of this major investment from next year."

The new haven is set to be completed by next summer.

Work will involve thousands of tonnes of rock being moved to the new harbour area which will form two breakwaters.

Boulders from the harbour area will also be moved as they form part of the sensitive Undercliff reef system. Most of the rocks will be transported by sea to minimise disruption to the town while the works take place.

The ambitious project forms part of the council's long-term plans to boost the economy of the town.

The project is set to complement future plans for the redevelopment of the Eastern Esplanade.

The project has been designed by coastal consultants Royal Haskoning and will be built by Ringwood-based Raymond L Brown.

The designers have developed a number of coastal protection schemes along the Undercliff.

Builders Raymond Brown have also undertaken major coast protection projects along the south coast of England, including rock armour and seawall works at Sidmouth in Devon and major projects at Oldstairs Bay in Kent and Eastbourne in East Sussex.

The Island's coastal manager, Robin McInnes, one of the country's leading authorities on coastal erosion, said: "I am delighted that at long last this important project can commence. It is a very exciting scheme and is aimed to provide a long-lasting contribution to the local economy and amenity of both the seafront and the town as a whole.

"In parallel with this project we are developing plans for the Eastern Esplanade following the preparation of a planning brief and we are exploring further opportunities for funding in order to provide additional facilties that will complement the haven project."

He added: "As part of the scheme we will be carefully translocating boulders from the haven area which forms part of the sensitive Undercliff reef system.

"The advice we have received from English Nature has enabled us to develop a scheme which is both technically sound as well as being sensitive to the special environmental quality of the Undercliff."