COUNCILLORS have approved using Weymouth Pavilion peninsula as an Olympic events village.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s management committee has agreed the ‘principle’ that the area could be used for activities in 2012.

Committee members also voted in favour of looking into using the site as an events village next year.

Coun Howard Legg said: “We’ve got an open space there to use.

“It’s a beautiful opportunity and we need to look at how best to take that up.”

Coun Roger Allen asked if there was any reason why an events village could not be established at the site in 2011, adding that it could be a ‘dummy run’ for the Olympics.

Coun Legg replied that the council would have to look at the possible ‘serious effect’ using the site could have on the town’s parking and how it would affect Condor Ferries’ operations.

But he added that the council ‘should be open’ to the idea of using the space in 2011.

Committee members agreed to try to get money from Europe to fund procuring an ‘experienced management company’ to deliver the project.

Members also voted to liaise with the harbour management board and the Pavilion steering group as the project develops.