Residents and campaign groups have reacted to the planning committee's decision to approve development on Weymouth peninsula.

Jason West, of campaign group Weyforward, has been campaigning against the proposals.

He said: “I expected it (the approval), but it's great that some councillors spoke out against it.

“We should never have got to this stage. From the start, we have not had planners working with the community to have a smooth, well considered plan.

“It is disrespectful to all of the people who are at school and college and growing up here.

“We are now going to push for a judicial review.”

Property developer Mickey Jones said: “I’m very disappointed that they can’t see the fundamental problems for the scheme they are proposing.

“This is a very sad day. It is awful to see. This has concerned many people in Weymouth and those seven names will be remembered.

“I imagine in the future they will be standing for election, well I can’t see them getting many votes in the ballot box after this.”

Weymouth resident Mick Burt said: "I'm very disappointed. It's a disaster waiting to happen.

"They should have gone back, looked at it again and gathered more opinions on what could be done there."

Council leader Jeff Cant said: “We are very delighted with today’s decision as it gives us permission to move into the first phase of our ambitious plans to regenerate the town.

“Redevelopment of this important and high-profile site will benefit residents as well as the visitor economy with the introduction of more indoor leisure facilities and public space.

“Regeneration will create employment, strengthen the town centre, boost the tourism trade, improve the local accommodation offer, and bring more revenue into the town.”

Martin Hamilton, strategic director for Dorset Councils Partnership, said: “We are very pleased to have secured this outline consent.

“It is a key step in moving forward on the scheme and has put us in a position to have meaningful discussions.”