Last night's development control committee voted in favour of the projects despite fierce opposition from local residents who say the depot is too large and will de-value their homes.

The plans, which are part of the £100m upgrade of the tramway, will be built on the site of a go-kart track and include a public car park for 200 vehicles, a mini crazy golf course and some public toilets.

It will act as a maintenance and storage building and house up to 20 of the resort's new supertrams.

A request for the decision to be deferred while residents' concerns – which include parking issues – were examined further was rejected after John Donnellon, assistant director for built environment, said a delay could jeopardise Government funding.

He said: "We have a funding deadline of Easter 2012. We have to have a tram depot running by May 2011. We have a funding risk if we can't deliver in that time scale.

"I want to emphasise how important the tramway is to Blackpool. We need a depot of sufficient size which meets modern needs."

Five councillors voted in favour and four against.

The outline planning application for a heritage centre was also approved despite objectors again raising the issue of parking.

Coun Doug Green, Starr Gate ward councillor, said: "The problem with the heritage tram system is that it is going to be a visitor attraction with no parking provision whatsoever."

Pat Masser, chairman of Starr Gate Residents' Association, said residents were "appalled" by the decisions.