Councillors gave the go ahead to Lydd Airport’s multi-million pound expansion plans after a seven-hour meeting which ran into the early hours.
Members voted 27-12 in favour of the applications, for a 444 metre runway extension and passenger terminal, going against planning officers’ recommendations.
The officers’ objections were based mainly on ecological grounds, particularly on the effects on birds and vegetation in designated conservation areas.
Earlier, protestors both for and against the scheme had gathered outside Shepway’s Civic Centre in Folkestone, holding banners and waving placards.
Shepway MP Michael Howard led the line of speakers who addressed the full council meeting, reminding them that they were not obliged to follow the officers’ lead.
Mr Howard, who hours earlier announced he had negotiated a deal with the airport to compensate affected residents, said:
“It is clear to me that these are issues on which you the councillors are free to make up your own mind.
“You are free to come to the conclusion, as I have, that you can be reasonably satisfied that there is no reasonable scientific doubt that the integrity of the designated areas….would be adversely affected by these proposals.”
His said his recent compensation agreement was “not perfect” but would provide a degree of reassurance. He also rejected claims by action group LAAG the deal was an acknowledgement that property values would be reduced.
He said: “Jobs are scarce on Romney Marsh. Unemployment’s too high, deprivation is too high.
“These proposals offer the opportunity of regenerating the economy of the Marsh. We can and we should care about the future of the wildlife of the Marsh but we can and we should care about the future of its people too.”
Earlier planning barrister Matthew Horton QC, representing anti-expansion lobbyists LAAG, said the proposals were “damaging, dangerous and dispiriting.”
He told the council: “LAAG urges members that their duty is to protect the Marsh and not to jeopardise its long-term value for the sake of alleged jobs.
“Alleged because there may be no net gain, given that the airport may harm the tourist economy and the jobs it supports.”
Other speakers in favour of the proposal included Channel Chamber of Commerce manager Peter Hobbs and local resident Caroline Chambers.
Those speaking against included Greatstone Primary School chair of governors Paul Black and the RSPB’s Chris Corrigan.
District ward members for Lydd, Victoria Dawson and Clive Goddard, also voiced their approval.
Carole Waters of New Romney Town offered her support while Val Loseby of New Romney Coast spoke out against.
County councillor for Romney Marsh William Richardson also addressed the meeting in favour of the proposals and said priority must be given to people.
A team from Lydd Airport, led by managing director Jonathan Gordon, then gave a 15-minute presentation on the benefits their proposals would bring.
Following an adjournment, councillors debated the merits of the applications between them.
Leader of the Liberal Democrat group Lynne Beaumont said that 4-11 year old children at Greatstone would have their education disrupted by Boeing 737s flying overhead.
Ms Beaumont also said planning officers had based their findings on purely scientific fact and an open mind, not by trying to sell a business.
Tory Cabinet member for planning Hugh Barker reminded the council not to repeat the mistake when drug company Pfizer had their application for offices in Folkestone turned down and the subsequent lost job opportunities.
Conservative Jennifer Hollingsbee also said the majority of students at the Marsh Academy in New Romney, where she works, were in favour of the development as post-16 students were finding it extremely difficult to find work.
Eventually a vote was taken based on a proposal by Cabinet member for economic development Malcolm Dearden, which adopted some of the airport’s own findings. Members voted 27-12 to approve the applications, with two abstentions.
Following the meeting Lydd managing director Jonathan Gordon said the approval for the £25 million investment plan was “a victory for the people of Shepway.”
He said: “We put forward a compelling case for allowing the controlled development of the airport and when councillors took stock of the overwhelming body of evidence in front of them, they were persuaded to vote in a positive way.
“They have made the right choice for the future of our community.”
It is expected LAAG will appeal the decision which could lead to a public inquiry.
Last night’s meeting was broadcast live on the Shepway council website, where over 2,000 people logged on to watch the proceedings, together with a public showing at the Marsh Academy.