A HIGH-QUALITY hotel, shops, restaurants, and business facilities have been given the go-ahead at Weymouth's former research site at Bincleaves.

The development of the QinetiQ site in Newtons Road behind the Nothe Fort will include 110 apartments, drinking establishments, and a takeaway.

Planning inspector Paul Dobsen's decision to allow the firm's appeal and grant planning permission follows a public inquiry at Weymouth Pavilion earlier this month.

The inquiry heard planning permission had initially been refused in March 2007 due to concerns of major flooding, land contamination and traffic issues.

Last September the Environment Agency and Natural England withdrew their objections after talks with QinetiQ.

Dorset County Council also withdrew its concerns about the firm not funding traffic calming measures on Rodwell Avenue, when QinetiQ agreed to contribute £182,600 towards road improvements of the Weymouth to Portland Corridor.

A statement of common ground between the firm and the borough council confirmed there were no longer any matters of dispute between the parties.

Mr Dobsen's decision has given the green light to a mixed-use scheme comprising of a five-storey hotel, 312 parking spaces, a privately-operated launch facility, access improvements, coastal defence works and designated open space.

The approval is subject to 21 planning obligations including that details of the access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority before any development begins.

Building is expected to begin in 2009 and finish ahead of the 2012 Olympic sailing events.