Weymouth Town Council Leader David Harris tells the BBC: "Nearly all local councillors in this part of the world think that it's the wrong decision that's been made and it's a mistake.

"But it is a private agreement between the port and the government so there was nothing we could do about that.

"Present statistics show that around 75% of all asylum seekers coming to this country will actually get refugee status.

"If we want to save money the government should be processing these asylum seekers much more quickly - let's get them into society - let's get the process speeded up and then we would save money.

"This process is not saving money."

Image source, PA Media

This is one of the latest images of Bibby Stockholm as it makes its final approach towards Portland Port. The 222-room, three-storey vessel accommodation barge - towed by two tugs - is expected to dock shortly.

Rev Cannon Nick Clark, rural dean of Weymouth and Portland is among those who have gathered at Portland Port as the Bibby Stockholm barge arrives. He told the BBC: "I am here to join with others here on the protest about the barge and to make a stand to welcome the refugees to this community.

"We can do so much better in terms of making refugees more welcome than just pitting them on a barge it just looks like an incarceration.

"They are in need....The church in Weymouth and Portland are ready and poised to step up and welcome."

The Vesselfinder, external ship-tracking website shows the two tugs towing Bibby Stockholm.

Image source, Vesselfinder.com

The vessels are sitting to the east of the Isle of Portland - they are expected to move into the port in the next hour or so.

The accommodation barge was towed along the south coast since leaving from Falmouth in Cornwall on Monday where it underwent refit work.

Dan Johnson
West of England correspondent

Even before the barge makes it to its berth in Portland, and long before anybody steps aboard, there are protestors here at the port gates.

Some feel 500 asylum seekers will add too much pressure on public services in this small island community. Others are concerned about the dignity and welfare of the men who’ll live on the barge.

Around 50 protestors have gathered since dawn waiting for the Bibby Stockholm to make its final manoeuvre into the port to be connected up to power, water and sewage.

They’re being watched over by a couple of police officers and port security - the opposition has been fierce and there’s a lot of anger about the way this has been imposed on the community.

But it’ll be another few days before the first 50 asylum seekers go aboard and perhaps a few weeks before the barge reaches its capacity of 500.

The Isle of Portland is the southern tip of the Jurassic Coast - a 95-mile long stretch within Dorset and Devon. It’s joined to mainland England by the fine thread of Chesil beach and only takes 10 minutes to drive from end to end.

Described by the tourist board as “wild” and “rugged”, it’s a wildlife haven. The island’s Portland Bill Observatory is the first point of landing in the UK for millions of migrating birds.

Portland stone has been quarried on the island for many years and is used in buildings all around the world including London’s St Paul’s Cathedral and the United Nations HQ in New York.

The island is also known worldwide for its sailing waters and its National Sailing Academy was the host venue for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing events. A single road links the island to the nearest big town, Weymouth.

Sophie Cridland
BBC Radio Solent, in Portland

About 20 protestors gathered early at Portland Port ahead of the arrival of the Bibby Stockholm barge. They have been here since about 4am - watched over by a number of Dorset police officers who say they expect to be at the site all day.

Many residents in the island community have objected to the presence of the accommodation barge and say that locals were not consulted.

The Bibby Stockholm is the first vessel secured under government plans to reduce spending on asylum accommodation.

The Home Office says housing asylum seekers on barges will save money on hotel costs - but critics have branded the scheme “unworkable” and claim additional expenses like security mean no money will actually be saved.

In Portland itself there has been lots of local opposition, amid fears about the impact hundreds of young, male asylum seekers will have on the isolated South Coast community where services like healthcare are already under strain.

Campaigners have criticised conditions in which residents will live on board as “cruel and inhumane” - although the boat’s owners say it is “practical, safe and comfortable”.

The Bibby Stockholm can currently be seen just off the south coast port of Portland in Dorset.

It has been tugged along England's south coast since leaving left Falmouth Harbour in Cornwall on Monday and is expected to be brought into Portland Port later in the morning.

The barge will be berth beneath a steep hillside dominated by The Verne prison and the Royal Naval Cemetery.

The first 50 asylum seekers are expected to be moved in within weeks, officials say.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage as a controversial barge set to house asylum seekers arrives at the Dorset port of Portland. The Bibby Stockholm will accommodate up to 500 men claiming refuge in the UK as part of Home Office’s plans to ease the pressure on the asylum system, external. It will be the first time migrants have been housed in a berthed vessel in the UK - a decision has that sparked protests and criticisms. We’ll bring you the latest throughout the day.