The club needs the new stadium to stay in the Conference.

Plans for the development were passed by Thanet District Council on Wednesday and mean the club can stay in the Nationwide Football Conference.

The club needed to improve its playing surface and stadium to meet the league requirements by the start of next season.

Outline plans were passed in December 2002 but the decision on the detailed plans was taken after the deadline for submission of comments passed on Friday.

Commercial development

The development will see a full sized grass pitch, an artificial pitch and car parking built.

Additional proposals for other parts of the site, which have not been submitted to the council, had caused controversy with local residents.

These include building a hotel, theme bar, restaurant, leisure and fitness centre and a bingo hall.

The site for both the commercial and stadium plans includes 3.5 hectares of the club's grounds, along with public open space within Hartsdown Park and Tivoli Park.

The council said it would be consulting fully with residents when the additional plans are submitted.