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A public inquiry has been announced to look into the relocation of a coastal road to make way for a divisive seafront development.
Planning permission has already been granted to create 150 homes, a hotel, leisure centre and open spaces on green land along Princes Parade in Hythe.
Work started earlier this year, including investigative testing at the site.
As part of the plans, Princes Parade road will be shut and moved closer to the Royal Military Canal - an action which has long been protested by those against the scheme.
A separate planning application for this part of the project has been submitted to the Department for Transport by Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC), which is behind the whole development.
The authority say the relocation of the road will "generate a vehicle free link from the proposed leisure centre and housing development to the beach and existing promenade".
In June, a petition was launched by Kent County Council members Rory Love (Con) and Andrew Weatherhead (Con) calling on the Secretary of State for Transport to hold a public inquiry into the stopping up order.
The two councillors say an inquiry is needed “in the interests of transparency” ahead of the decision on whether to proceed with the road closure.
Fears stem from how easily emergency services will be able to access the seafront once the road is moved, as well as creating further congestion along Seabrook Road.
The petition has raised more than 4,500 signatures so far.
The Department for Transport has now given notice for a full public inquiry in October.
Cllr Love said: “We believed that we made a strong case for a public inquiry, but it was always possible that the matter could have been handled just by written representations.
"The 4,500 signatures on our petition demonstrated widespread support for an inquiry.
"I am delighted that the Secretary of State for Transport has recognised our case and called a full local hearing so that residents will finally have a chance to have their say on the road closure."
Cllr Weatherhead added: "I welcome the decision by the Transport Secretary, as this public inquiry will allow the residents of Hythe to have a voice on what is a highly impacting local issue."
The Princes Parade scheme has been opposed for many years and has been subject to protests and even a court battle headed by action group Save Princes Parade (SPP), which was eventually lost at Judicial Review.
Over the weekend, nearly 1,000 people marched along the road to protest the scheme during an event organised by SPP.
Many of the demonstrators also formed a human chain around the land.
They say the project will harm wildlife, question the suitability and viability of the land, and argue the stopping up is necessary.
Many objections have also been raised about the relocation of the badger sett on the land, with more than 100 comments added to the council's planning portal. A decision on moving the den is expected next week at FHDC's planning meeting.
The public inquiry is scheduled to be held at FHDC's Civic Centre in Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, at 10am on October 19.
A FHDC spokesman said: “A public inquiry was inevitable because of the responses submitted by two of the statutory consultees - so this announcement was expected.
"Our understanding is that any campaigning had no influence on this decision.
“The proposal will create a fantastic traffic-free promenade that can be enjoyed by all, as well as help improve road safety along our coastline. We will be making that case at the hearing.”
