The new centre is expected to open by 2009

Bournemouth Borough Council granted permission for the centre on Tuesday night after 17 years of wrangling over the future of the Winter Gardens site.

The scheme, which includes the arts base, public gardens and performance space, was backed despite concern over developing student housing on the site.

The council has said it hopes the development will create 120 jobs.

Building work is due to start later in the year, with the development opening in 2009.

Bringing new life

The centre has been planned in partnership with the Arts Institute, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Dance South West.

At the back of the arts building will be an eight storey residential block and a separate five to seven storey block, both providing accommodation for students.

A council spokeswoman said the design of the blocks had been revised "resulting in a reduction of the student accommodation and the impact of the building on neighbouring properties in Cranborne Road".

Roger Wooley, from the Winter Gardens Trust, said: "The New Winter Gardens will be a regional centre for music, dance and film.

"It will play a vital role in bringing new life to the town centre and providing the community with a range of performance, courses and festivals that are not currently available in the area."

The Winter Gardens concert hall, built in the 1930s, closed in 2002 and was demolished last year.