Peel Ports’ 20-year masterplan to transform Sheerness Docks has received backing from Islanders, according to a public consultation held by the company.

The business says its proposals to expand its operations in the town could create around 1,250 jobs over the next two decades.

The plans include a heritage quarter, a mixed-use development incorporating a marina, and a rail link from Sheerness to Peel Ports’ other base in Liverpool.

A total of 298 people attended a series of public consultations in November at Sheppey Gateway and Eastchurch village hall.

Feedback forms from the meetings, filled out by residents and stakeholders, showed 83% of respondents gave their full backing for the project.

Plans to redevelop the site of the former steelworks were supported by 87% of respondents, while 84% were keen to see a mixed-use development or marina at Garrison Point.

The questionnaire revealed 94% of respondents believed the port had a significant impact on the area, providing economic and employment benefits.

Peel Ports has committed to filling any new jobs with local workers wherever possible.

Port director Miles Hearn said: “The response to our public consultations has been phenomenal, and the fact that almost 300 people attended them shows how important the future of the port is to people in the area.

“This masterplan has been developed because Peel Ports has made a long-term, strategic commitment to grow and develop the Port of Sheerness.

“The masterplan sets out our intentions of how we plan to develop the port so it remains a key employer and driver for growth in the Swale region for the next two decades.

“It is very much a collaborative process that we believe will have a significant and lasting impact on the Swale region.”

The feedback will now be reviewed so changes and additions to the draft master plan can be considered.

The final version is expected to be published in 2016.

The proposals come less than a year since the business opened an inspection centre for Volkswagen at the port, which has created around 100 new jobs in the area.