A PLANNING appeal inspector has given the go-ahead to a seaside scheme including a hotel and 110 apartments, The proposed development by QinetiQ for its former site at Newtons Road, Weymouth, includes shops, restaurants, cafes, drink and food sites, offices, parking for 312 vehicles and coastal defences.

Weymouth and Portland planning committee members refused outline planning permission for the scheme in March.

They said the proposed development would cause more congestion and threaten the safety of highway users while the proposal also conflicted with local plan policies, ran the risk of flooding and could suffer from land contamination.

Appeal inspector Paul Dobsen said QinetiQ appealed and during this stage submitted more information on the reasons for refusal which saw all objections - including ones from the Environment Agency, Natural England and Dorset County Council - effectively withdrawn.

He added that QinetiQ and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council then got together and prepared a statement of common ground which 'confirms that there are no longer any matters of dispute between the parties'.

Mr Dobsen noted that the council confirmed it had no objections to the scheme at the inquiry opening and did not oppose the development being granted outline planning permission subject to various agreements and planning conditions.

Four residents and two councillors expressed concerns about traffic and parking near the scheme site, but Mr Dobsen said: "I find nothing in these concerns which outweighs the conclusion by the council and the local highways authority that the appeal scheme would be acceptable in highways and traffic terms subject to a financial contribution of £182,600 towards the Weymouth-Portland corridor improvement scheme."

He agreed with the main parties 'that there are no longer any sound and justifiable reasons to withhold outline planning permission'.

Mr Dobsen formally allowed QinetiQ's appeal and granted permission for the site redevelopment subject to 21 conditions.

These included access, landscaping and parking and the development not starting until details of proposed sea defence improvement works have been submitted.