CONTROVERSIAL plans to store a wider variety of chemicals at a huge fuel plant have been approved by councillors.

Oikos bosses first lodged the application for their site off Haven Road, Canvey, in January.

The councillors’ hearing into the application was repeatedly delayed because of a dispute between Oikos and neighbouring second-hand car storage and auction company, Holding and Barnes.

But Castle Point councillors finally passed the application last night.

The public gallery was packed with residents who live near the plant and tried to pressure councillors into rejecting the proposals, through two campaign groups called People Against Methane and the Canvey Action Group Against Oikos.

However, a majority of councillors reluctantly voted the plans through after a lengthy debate.

Oikos needed a licence to store chemicals, such as aircraft fuel, which ignite above 21 degrees, because of a change in the law since the explosion at the Buncefield depot, in Hertfordshire.

Oikos had to apply to the council for an updated licence, to store petrol, napthas, kerosenes including jet fuel, and other gas and diesel fuels.

The plan is now to store as much as 242,000 tonnes of petroleum-based products at the site.