A 48-ROOM Travelodge could be built at the EuroKent business park after full council approved the plans.

The building, which will include 33 parking spaces, could be built on the north west corner of the site.

The authority's planning committee did not have the authority to rubber stamp the plans as they departed from the local plan, which permits only business use of the land, so full council stepped in.

The council decided that as the site is within an area where leisure uses, including a multiplex cinema, had already been approved, a hotel would be appropriate for the site.

Thanet council's planning chief Cllr John Kirby: "This development could bring benefits to the whole of Thanet.

"The site is convenient for both business and leisure use, being close to the business parks, the Westwood Cross development and the airport, with its range of passenger destinations.

"Thanet is experiencing a number of exciting developments at the moment and the approval of this application allows yet another to proceed."