DIY kings B&Q have been given the all clear for a state-of-the-art research complex that will be a key part of their new multi-millionpound empire in Hampshire.

The centre will bring all B&Q's operations under one roof, as well as safeguarding hundreds of jobs and giving a huge economic boost to the area.

Work will start in the autumn after councillors approved the fine details of the first phase.

This includes research facilities where products will be tested before they hit the shelves to be snapped up by the nation's army of DIY fans.

The main laboratory area will be used to mimic a typical store, re-enacting the displays and conditions of the trading B&Q stores.

As well as a merchandising research and development laboratory there will be multimedia studio/photographic studio spaces, conference centre, meeting room suites and a training centre on former Alldays site in Chestnut Avenue, Chandler's Ford.

There will also be a fitness centre, a crèche and a kitchen which will support the kitchen in phase two. There will be three decks of parking for 814 cars.

It was nearly three years ago that the home improvement giant announced that it was bringing its head office workforce, currently scattered over four sites in Chandler's Ford and two in Southampton, under one roof. Planned to take place within five years, it is one of the biggest office reshuffles in the county involving more than 1,300 people.

B&Q's plan to put its operations on one site will double the size of the 150,000 square feet former Alldays House building by reconfiguring the space. The new look building has been designed to house about 1,800 staff.

A company spokesman said: "Work will start at the back of the site on the new lab in the autumn. This is the first phase of a two-and-a-half year building programme to create the new head office for B&Q.

"When complete, the building will accommodate all staff currently based at B&Q's offices in the area, bringing teams together and enabling more efficient working all round."