A new Wetherspoon pub in Rainham will create more than 40 jobs, it has been claimed.

Councillors gave the plans for the former Railway pub in Station Road, the go-ahead at a meeting last Wednesday.

The original proposals received several objections from those living nearby and were rejected by planners last June.

Neighbours worried about a proposed roof garden, loss of light, outlook and privacy and an unacceptable level of noise and disturbance. But the roof garden was not included in the new plans and the extension is lower in height.

Medway Council received 14 letters of support of the application and 10 letters against.

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon says the pub giant was delighted the plans were approved.

He said: “We believe it will be a great addition to the town. We also believe the investment by Wetherspoon will act as a catalyst for other businesses to invest in Rainham.” The Railway closed in 2012 after the owners, Sarumdale pub group, went bust. A year later, the boarded-up building was sold to an unknown buyer by administrators Begbies Traynor.

Planning permission for four one-bedroom flats in the back garden was granted in 2009. This expired in December 2012. It was then bought by Wetherspoon.

The pub will be open on Sunday to Thursday from 7am to 11pm and Friday and Saturday 7am to midnight after councillors amended the hours slightly.