MINOR amendments have been approved for Fareham's Market Quay scheme paving the way for building work to begin in February.

Fareham Society has expressed concern at some of the changes, particularly the lack of landscaping around the proposed £30m retail and leisure complex.

Brenda Clapperton, the society's chairman, also expressed regret that some of the scheme's decorative features have been lost, including a proposed tower.

"There are areas we are disappointed with. Unfortunately it seems to come down to a matter of cost.

"Many of the pleasant features have been taken away, such as the tower and the decorative features on the walls.

"We would also like to see a pedestrian crossing linking the ticket office to the bus station and are disappointed there is no waiting room for the LRT and bus station.

"In the long-term these are very important."

Under the present plans, the Monday market traders will have nowhere to store their goods as the planned bus offices off the Hartlands Road roundabout will be too small.

Despite concerns about the minor amendments there was general relief among the planning committee that the long-awaited scheme will now finally go ahead.

The centrepiece of the attraction will be a five-screen cinema giving the late-night economy a welcome boost.

There will also be shops, bars, restaurants and a fitness club within the complex to be built on land on the 700-space West Street car park, behind Westbury Manor Museum.

Preliminary work will start in December with sewerage works and the first building work will begin in February.

The developers of Market Quay have exchanged agreements for leases with retail and leisure operators including TK Maxx, Wilkinsons, JJB Sports, Peacocks, and health and fitness club LA Fitness.

Fareham Council's planning committee has requested joint developers Miller/CTP address its concerns about landscaping.