Plans for a huge development of Estuary View Business Park have tonight been approved by councillors and will include a Marks & Spencer store, it has emerged.

It means developer George Wilson's plans to build a new hospital, nursing home and retail stores including an Aldi supermarket on the site off the Thanet Way can now go ahead.

But it was only when speaking in support of the development at the meeting did Mr Wilson reveal that an M&S store will be included in the development.

Ten councillors voted in favour of the proposal at a meeting of Canterbury City Council's planning committee, with only two objecting to it.

The new scheme is expected to create 300 new jobs, with half of the positions filled in staffing the new medical facilities and the other half making up both full and part-time jobs in the retail stores.

It has also been confirmed that Harbour Garage - the Kia car dealership currently in Tower Parade next to Whitstable Harbour - is set to move to the new development site.

Mr Wilson told the meeting: "I would like to speak in support of the officer's recommendation.

"As someone said to me this morning, this is one of the most exciting schemes the Wilsons have ever brought to the council and we have been doing that for 35 years.

"The retail development will have two occupiers and the second will be Marks and Spencer.

"I am particularly pleased that the proposal will allow the relocation of the existing car dealership from Whitstable Harbour.

"As everyone will be aware, the original planning permission for the site was for offices. While it was possible in the past, there is no demand in Whitstable for offices now.

"Why would we want to build more offices on a site to have them empty?"

Concerns had previously been raised by the Whitstable chamber of commerce that the development would take trade away from the town centre.

But in a report published before the meeting, city council planning officer Ben Young cited "that the impact of the proposals would not have a significant adverse impact upon Whitstable or Herne Bay town centres".

For more reaction, see this week's Whitstable Gazette out on Thursday.