Controversial plans for a construction base at the Port of Ramsgate were strongly opposed at a public meeting last night.

Chatham House Grammar School hall was packed with over 250 concerned residents as O’Regan Group outlined their proposal for block manufacturing, aggregate washing and waste wood processing.

Company representatives in attendance included project manager Ian Faupel and consultants Doug Brown and Brian White who claimed that a potential 47 jobs could be created.

The industrial base would take up almost a quarter of the port and require wastewater to be recycled and kept in tanks.

Residents had concerns that the base would bring water, air and noise pollution which would be dangerously close to residential areas and negatively impact Ramsgate harbour.

There was also a hostile reaction when Mr Faupel claimed that the company had decided to come to Ramsgate because it was cheaper than Sheerness and Medway.

Any planning application submitted by the O’Regan Group to Thanet District Council must be accompanied by an environmental impact assessment.

Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate (PPC) for Thanet South Craig Mackinlay publicly opposed the plans at the meeting.

He said: “A similar operation commenced in Chatham Docks some years ago.

"The aggregate processing operation there caused dust across nearby residential areas, but it was the wood chip operation, similar to what is proposed here, that caused the most serious problem.

"Firstly with a fire that lasted for a week and then fermenting wood piles which left an unknown chemical ‘stink’ across Gillingham, Chatham and Rochester.

"This is a crackpot scheme for Ramsgate that I wholly oppose.”

There were also saw calls from residents to focus on tourism and leisure to promote the area.

Ramsgate Town Councillor Peter Campbell organised the meeting.

He said: “The outcome was clear - the hall was packed to the rafters with disgruntled residents who unanimously opposed this development.”

Cllr Campbell claimed that there is a more appropriate idea for the port.

He added: “I believe a marine and yacht maintenance base would be more suitable.

“This could include boat building and design and I think it would add character to the marina.”

Friends of Ramsgate Seafront Chairman Kandy Jones said: "It is an overwhelming no from the people of Ramsgate.

"This area needs to remain commercial for tourism and leisure purposes, certainly not become an industrial zone.

"O'Regan Group's plan to take our sand from dredging the inner and outer harbour for the production of their blocks is also wrong.

"There is also a special scientific interest (SSI) nature reserve within a few miles which would be affected."

Green Party PPC Ian Driver said: “I was amazed by the strength of feeling and passion at last night’s meeting with over 250 people united in their opposition to these plans.

“I sincerely hope that O’Regan’s have seen the light and will now tear up their plans and move on.

“If not then I will be working with the community to organise a major campaign to defeat their muddleheaded proposals and protect Ramsgate from an inappropriate and damaging development.”