Residents, councillors and politicians alike have been speaking after one of Thanet's biggest ever planning applications was approved.

Thanet council gave the green light to phase one of the China Gateway business park near Manston last night (Thursday), but the development is subject to a number of tough conditions.

These cover aspects including noise and light pollution, foul water drainage and car parking provision.

No building work can take place until the council's planning committee is satisfied these conditions have been met.

Cllr Richard Nicholson, leader of the Thanet Labour group, believes that the decision was correct, but said that the meeting was "confusing" for councillors and members of the public.

He said: "I think we got the right result but I have to say I'm not entirely sure how.

"The way this has been handled has been damaging to this council."

Dr Steve Ladyman, MP for South Thanet, said that Thanet council had made the "right decision".

He said: "China Gateway could create hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of local jobs and help transform our local economy."

But local resident Jenny Matterface, who has campaigned against the industrial park since a planning application was submitted in April, said: "Some of the councillors were definitely confused and I'm not sure all of them know what they've voted for.

"I think we'll start to reassess our position on Friday. We need to decide what our next steps are."

Cllr Chris Wells, one of only ten councillors to vote against the project last night, accepted that the meeting may have looked chaotic to the packed public gallery.

He said: "For the public, there are things outside of what we're allowed to take into account in planning considerations that are fundamental to them, and I think they will have left rather more bemused than anything else."

Cllr Ken Gregory, chairman of Thanet council's planning committee, said that the conditions imposed on the applicant, Commercial Group Properties, are "rigorous" and "enforcable by law".

He added: “This is undoubtedly one of the most important planning applications that this council has considered in recent years, and the meeting allowed members to debate at length the plans."