Plans for a huge new retail park featuring The Range and a Costa Coffee drive-thru are expected to be approved tomorrow.

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) officers have recommended plans for the new 35,000sq ft homeware store on land next to John Lewis are given the green light.

If approved, a vets and five other shops could also be built if the so-called Drovers Retail Park is approved by members.

The land near Drovers Roundabout was previously earmarked for a park and ride, but the plan never materialised.

Access to the site would be from the existing traffic light controlled junction off Fougères Way, which currently leads to John Lewis.

Developer Castle City Estates had submitted plans for the country's first purpose-built Bunnings store in March, but replaced the Australian firm with The Range when Bunnings bosses pulled out of the UK market.

The applicants, who say the development will become a 'homewares hub' if built, said: "The Range does not have any town centre store because of the retailer’s space requirements mean that there are very few appropriate opportunities.

"In reality, The Range is probably a better fit with the proposed homewares hub than Bunnings.

"The impact of replacing Bunnings with The Range and a further bulky goods unit is not significant."

To view the planning application, visit www.ashford.gov.uk and search for the 18/00405/AS.