Building work on what is set to be largest hotel in Winchester could start within six months.

The city council approved the 120-bedroomed complex, beside the Intech science centre, at Morn Hill, on Wednesday.

Planners had already approved two previous applications for a hotel at the site, less than two miles from the city centre but neither project went ahead.

Developers, Morn Hill Ltd, hope to start work on the hotel this summer.

But concerns about the scheme were raised before the planning committee by Itchen Valley Parish Council, whose chairman, Alison Matthews, said the hotel would spoil the beauty of the surrounding countryside.

"We would like to see a building which would improve this gateway to the city and we don't feel that this building does so."

Planning team leader, John Hearn, said the hotel would not be prominent, as it would be built in a hollow.

"The impact of this building will be very low."

Eloise Appleby, the council's head of tourism, told planners that Winchester needed extra hotel rooms.

She said there was a lack of low-cost accommodation in the city and the Morn Hill scheme could fill the void.

"It will make a trip to Winchester more affordable for many," she added.

Labour group leader, Patrick Davies, said he was worried about building an hotel on the outskirts of Winchester.

He speculated that guests would drive into the city to see the attractions, creating extra traffic.

But mayor, Cecily Sutton, said: "I don't see any reason on earth why the hotel shouldn't have a minibus."

Members voted by a margin of 11 to three in favour of the scheme.

After the meeting, Chris Ward, director of Bryan Jezeph Consultancy, which is acting for Morn Hill Ltd, said there were now only two hurdles before construction work could begin.

Firstly, the company had to sign legal contracts with the council, and secondly, Westminster had to decide whether to examine the scheme, owing to its size and sensitive location.

Mr Ward said that if all went to plan, work should begin on the site by early June.

He added that several operators of low-cost hotels had expressed an interest in buying the completed building.