PLANS to build 1,000 new homes in the county have been given the go ahead by the Government Office for the South East (GOSE).

The proposals for the houses at Westwood, near Broadstairs, were agreed by both the planning committee and full council last month, but they had to be sent to the GOSE because the application was a departure from the Local Plan.

In response to public consultation on the plans, road links in the area will have to be improved before any residents can move in.

Brian White, head of development services at Thanet district council, said: "This is another major step forward for the regeneration of Thanet."