Kent Science Park can go ahead with building a new £1.5 million arrivals centre.

Approval for the development was given the go-ahead by members of Swale Borough Council’s planning committee.

When completed, the centre will replace the existing gatehouse and create a new home for the security team management personnel and a new marketing suite.

The proposed building will feature sustainable materials and techniques, including a curved plant-covered roof to improve insulation.

James Speck, park director, said: “This decision will enable us to dramatically improve the first impression for people arriving at Kent Science Park.

“The current building does not do justice to the park, and the new centre will also improve traffic flow in and out of the site.”

Andrew Bull of LaSalle Investment Management, managers of Kent Science Park, said: “This new building is an integral part of a £25 million programme of investment which will create a further 500 jobs at the Park over the next four to five years.

“The application is part of our on-going efforts to ensure we play our part in diversifying Swale’s economy by attracting new businesses, technologies and jobs to the area.”

Planning committee members gave consent to the scheme despite the concerns of the Five Parishes Opposition Group

which claimed the new centre could be located within the security fence.

They also objected to the scale and design of the building and said the application was contrary to a relevant planning policy and should be called in by central government.

Residents living on approach roads have been campaigning to curb expansion because of the impact on the local highway network.

But the council’s area planning officer Rob Bailey, said the building was well designed and would not have a significant impact

on the character and appearance of the area, nor on highway safety.