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Controversial plans to create the China Gateway business park, which could eventually cover a space equivalent to 30 soccer pitches in the Thanet countryside, have been given the go ahead.

Phase one of the project will comprise 20 warehouses, a centerpiece 'Gateway’ showroom, a staff restuarant and amenity buildings, covering more than 137,000 sq metres of floorspace. The developers, Commercial Group Properties, claim 1,300 jobs would be created, with more than 200 people employed in assembly and manufacturing roles in this first part of the proposed three-part scheme.

Stringent assurances were sought - and gained - that every step of the scheme will be monitored closely by Thanet council's planning committee members.

The decision was made after three hours of intense debate before a packed public gallery at the council's headquarters in Cecil Street, Margate, on Thursday.

The voting saw 41 councillors in favour of the first part of the scheme, with 10 against.

Dozens of environmental campaigners lined the steps of the town hall as councillors thrashed out one of the biggest public interest issues for decades.

Waving banners and placards the protestors, including one dressed as the Grim Reaper, held a peaceful rally. Some fear the business park could pose a threat to the island’s drinking water, while others warn that local roads will be unable to cope with the anticipated 7,800 extra daily trips.

Local filmmaker Christine Tongue, an outspoken critic of China Gateway, said: "People feel that they haven’t been consulted and that the scheme has been rushed through."