North Norfolk councillors today voted unanimously to approve the scheme, after a report said that the structure would improve facilities at the town's busy quayside.

Wells Harbour Commissioners want to provide extra moorings for charter boats which run sea fishing trips, with a new 44m pontoon off Tugboat Yard.

In a statement welcoming the decision, they said: 'The Port is delighted to announce that the North Norfolk planning committee has today approved planning for two brackets to attach to the quay wall at Tug Boat Yard. The harbour commissioners will now continue with the project to replace the wooden pontoons with floating pontoons later in the year.'

Opponents feared the scheme would make the eastern side of the harbour more crowded, spoil the view of the neighbouring salt marshes and restrict access to the eastern reaches of the harbour channel.

The report to North Norfolk council's planning committee said the area around Tugboat Yard was a working harbour, where a mixture of boats of different sizes moored up to a pontoon anchored to the existing quay wall.

It added the proposal would not detract from the 'natural beauty' of the area and would have the 'positive visual effect' of moving boats off the wall of the quay, allowing increased views of the marshes.'

But one objector posted on the council's online planning portal: 'The proposal affects the land on Tugboat Yard which is a registered village green whose amenity value consists in part in the view which it has over the marshes.'

Councillors were recommended to approve the commissioners' application when they met in Cromer today.