COUNCIL chiefs have finalised a deal over the future of one of the last remaining develop-ment sites along Weymouth harbourside where luxury flats have been built.

Councillors met behind closed doors to discuss confidential land issues and financial arrange-ments for 51 Commercial Road, a council-owned site currently occupied by Kingfisher Marine, which is earmarked for housing development.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's management committee agreed that a proposal from the owner of the adjacent land - the old Larkin Windows site - to develop his and the council's site together should be selected as the preferred option.

Members insisted however that any redevelopment must include a space for Kingfisher Marine boatyard and chandlery.

The developer, who intends to build between eight and 12 flats, has been given a strict time limit of six months to submit a planning application.

Richard Burgess, the council's director of environmental services, said after the meeting: "Kingfisher Marine has used 51 Commercial Road as a temporary base on the understanding that the site was earmarked for housing.

"The firm had moved to the site to make way for the Trencherwood Homes development in Commercial Road. Councillors made it clear that Kingfisher Marine was an important asset to the harbour and should continue to have a presence at 51 Commercial Road in any development scheme."