EXCLUSIVE by Adam Williams

Plans have been approved to extend the popular Crab and Winkle cycle path in Whitstable.

However, construction of the controversial shared walking and cycle track between All Saints Close and Northwood Road will not start until two new road bridges have also been built.

A previous application for the two structures from Teynham Road to Old Bridge Road, granted in June 2006, has recently lapsed and will be resubmitted.

Members of Canterbury City Council’s Development Control Committee debated the issue for almost an hour on Tuesday before a nine to three majority voted in favour of the application, with a raft of conditions.

Chairman of the Crab and Winkle Line Trust Marcial Boo admits the decision has been a long time in the making but objectors were left stunned and despondent.

The Whitstable Green Lung Association, which has fought a high-profile campaign to protect the wildlife and woodland area between Clare Road and Station Road, attended in force.

Public relations officer Tony Ledger promised their fight will go on.

He said: "We remain as committed as ever to protecting the woodland for the children and wider community of Whitstable. Our plans to turn the area into a nature reserve have been registered and we are determined to see those through."

Key conditions accompanying planning consent include:

The construction of the path will not begin until planning permission has been granted for two new road bridges and the bridges themselves have been constructed.

Full surveys will be submitted to ensure the protection of existing wildlife and vegetation, such as provision of bat boxes, bird-nesting habits and details of how and when new planting and landscaping will take place.

Lighting columns on the new path will be no higher than four metres. Lighting times will be restricted to dusk until 8pm during winter, with no lighting in the summer.

Screening near to the bridges and other vulnerable areas will be erected prior to any construction of the route.