REACTIONS to the plans have been mixed.

Some residents expressed concerns about the access from the old Qinetiq site through to Brewers Quay while others welcomed the chance of regeneration for the ex-MOD site.

The old MOD site was used to test torpedoes with long range ones being fired to Lulworth and the short range ones being tested in the Newton’s Cove area. Boats waited in the bay to pick them up.

The tests were to test the range and how true the torpedoes’ trajectories were.

Swimmer Rodney Best, 70, has been using the waters around Newton’s Cove for 65 years.

He said: “It’s hard to say. As long as it doesn’t disturb us being able to use the road from the bridge to the security gate and it won’t stop us swimming then it’s good.”

Holidaymaker Carl Griffiths, 42, has been coming down to Weymouth from Grimsby for his holidays for nine years.

He said: “It would be good with the seaside area. It’s business and there are a lot of people that need work. Anything that’s sustainable and brings work.

“People have to think about jobs after the Olympics.”

Netherton Road resident Nick Cockcroft said that he would be going along to the exhibition on the proposed care village.

He said: “I think it’s an excellent idea. The museum sounds interesting. I’m looking forward to the exhibition.”

Fellow resident Kathy Claydon said: “I’m looking forward to seeing the plans. It sounds like a large development, what would they be giving back to the local community.

“Will there be slipway access and access to the water.”

Borough councillor for the area John Birtwistle said that it would be good to see the area developed.

He said: “I’d welcome a development on the site. As far as I’m concerned I’d like to see that site developed. At the moment it’s just becoming run down and not used.”