Final go-ahead for £1.5bn superport

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The approval will mean the creation of a London Gateway container port as well as a commercial centre and business park on the former Shell oil refinery site at Shell Haven in the Thames Estuary in Thurrock, Essex.

The final green light follows a long battle by P&O, which is now part of Dubai Ports World, to develop the site on the north bank of the Thames.

The struggle has included a public inquiry and various amendments to the original plans as well as measures to cope with extra road traffic.

Transport Minister Gillian Merron said on Wednesday: "London Gateway will be able to provide much needed capacity for handling the UK's growing international trade in containers.

"This substantial development has the potential to provide many new jobs in the Thames Gateway Growth Area - already one of the Government's priority growth areas in England - including a possible 1,900 jobs which the promoters (P&O) forecast for the port alone."

She went on: "It has taken time to finalise this decision. But it was right to consider carefully, and make appropriate provision for, the significant impacts that this major development will have in the growth area.

"This outcome reflects the hard work by the promoters, the local authorities, transport bodies, environmental organisations and others to reach agreement on ways to mitigate the impacts of the development."

It is thought the entire project could lead to the creation of as many as 18,000 jobs.