Ambitious plans that could put a Kent city on the map as a leading venue for beach volleyball have been given the green light.

County councillors have approved an application for a beach volleyball complex on the Victoria Recreation Ground, Canterbury, despite protests from some residents that it meant the loss of a valuable open space.

Members of KCC’s planning committee unanimously backed the plan at a meeting on Tuesday, which could see major international events in the increasingly popular sport staged in the city.

The plans have split opinion, with supporters saying it would offer the opportunity to develop participation in the sport and could lead to the four-court complex being used as a 2012 Olympics training camp.

Opponents said the prospect of high-profile international events attracting thousands of spectators would cause traffic chaos and that residents in the area would be blighted by loud music, often used during major events.