Councillors have unanimously approved plans for a new supermarket, flats and a tourist attraction close to Ashford town centre.

Ashford Borough Council's planning committee voted in favour last night of the plans for the Victoria Way development, set to cost £55 million, will see the introduction of an Aldi supermarket, built to rent apartments and a brewery.

Applicant HDD Ashford submitted the plans for the brownfield site in South Ashford in August.

Chapel Down, which already operate a vineyard in Tenterden, will open a £1.25 million Curious Brew Visitor Centre including a restaurant, bar and brewery tours.

The centre is expected to be open seven days a week and will have 21 parking spaces on site.

Plans also include a block of 200 apartments, and a separate block of 16 flats to be built above three shops.

The U-shaped block for 200 apartments will include 48 studio flats, 52 one-bedroom flats and 100 two-bedroom flats built to rent.

Ms Arlene van Bosch, from HDD Ashford, said: "We believe that this will have a very positive impact in the town.

"Curious Brew expect to reach up to 500 visitors a day at peak times within three years."

The development is estimated to bring 160 extra jobs, plus 50 jobs in the supply chain.

Concerns were raised by current residents included parking, access and traffic around the area, but according to councillors traffic management in the area will be monitored.

In addition, Highways and the council agreed with parking provisions, and the applicant has reviewed and increased parking from 0.7 to 0.9 spaces per apartment.

It is anticipated that the development will attract a younger demographic, potentially appealing to those working in London, and with close proximity to town centre amenities it was thought that the walking distance may create less need for cars for those living there, but this view was not shared by all councillors.

Councillors also approved an 18,500 sq ft Aldi supermarket with 93 parking spaces creating 60 new jobs.

Ms van Bosch, from HDD Ashford, spoke about the Aldi brand: "We are providing a new superstore not currently offered in Ashford."

Some councillors also noted that trolleys around the site should be maintained.

The developers could fill the council coffers with £1.9 million worth of Section 106 contributions for roads and infrastructure such as libraries and schools.

The council could also gain an extra £316,800 and an extra £365,600 from council tax and business rates respectively.

It is estimated that it will provide £50 million worth of economic growth to Ashford over the next 10 years, with £3.8 million additional revenue spent by residents in the town each year.

The application for a 125-bedroom hotel on the same site will be discussed at next month's planning committee meeting.