The first convenience store could finally open on a huge housing estate built more than a decade ago.

Finberry in Ashford features about 1,000 homes between Bridgefield and Bad Munstereifel Road (A2070).

However, the estate - which is being built entirely by developer Crest Nicholson - has been without a single supermarket or retail store since neighbours first arrived in June 2014.

It means residents are forced to drive to Park Farm Tesco or walk up to a mile to Bridgefield in order to buy basic amenities if not ordering online.

But a new application, submitted by Mr Baby Sivarajah to Ashford Borough Council (ABC), could see part of a redundant office building turned into a 218 sq m store.

Mr Sivarajah wants to open ‘Finberry Village Community Store’ directly opposite Finberry Primary School in Avocet Way.

Selling food and household items, the store would open on the vacant ground floor of the three-storey property if the proposal is green-lit.

Documents submitted with the plans say: "The proposal aims to repurpose an unoccupied office block to better serve the community by providing a much-needed retail outlet.

"The existing office block has remained vacant since its construction, demonstrating a lack of demand for office use in this location.”

If approved, the store would be open from 7am until 10pm seven days a week.

One part-time and two full-time employees would also be on the books.

Since the application was submitted, six people have supported the plans in Finberry.

One resident, Paula Mary Wright, said: "This is a much-needed facility here on Finberry and long awaited.

"At the moment the only way of accessing shops is to drive or to have home deliveries."

Ashley Gould added: "I’m sure I share the same positive comment.

“We at Finberry welcome this long-awaited amenity that we were promised 10 years ago [so] I 100% support this."

Despite the support, fears have been raised about the site's proposed location opposite Finberry Primary School - which opened in September 2017.

Rachel Adamson believes the shop's proximity to the school's 379 pupils, aged two to 11, could be dangerous.

She said: “There are currently no road markings restricting unsafe parking close to the school gates despite the school being open over seven years now. I strongly feel a 20mph speed limit should be in place and a zebra crossing."

Mr Sivarajah and the agent behind the plans, Siv Vejay of Shakthi Consulting UK Ltd, have acknowledged the potential risks associated with the store.

However, a traffic management plan submitted as part of the plans says this will help prevent any accidents.

It reads: "The primary objective is to ensure the smooth flow of traffic, minimise congestion and prioritise safety for pedestrians and road users by directing all deliveries and refuse collections to be executed via the rear of the property.

"A designated drop-off point will be marked to facilitate efficient unloading and minimise disruption.

"The front of the property shall remain clear to ensure an unobstructed pedestrian walkway and avoid unnecessary traffic build-up along Avocet Way.

"Drivers and collection teams will be advised to adhere to a low-speed limit while operating in the area to maintain safety for pedestrians and residents."

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An update on the application is expected by April 30.

Meanwhile, outline planning permission for a separate new shop in Finberry, alongside 63 homes and other commercial units, was already approved by ABC in February 2024.

The development is earmarked to go near Bullfinch Avenue on land owned by Cedarvale and C.C Projects, which also owns the Aldi site on Waterbrook.

However, work on the store is yet to begin as detailed plans have not been submitted.

It was also the centre of debate for several years following a condition imposed by ABC meant contractors could not start work on the Aldi supermarket until progress was made on this separate convenience store.

But after Aldi launched a petition calling on shoppers to lobby ABC over the measure, the condition was eventually lifted in October following talks with the authority.

Both agreed on a deed of modification - a legal document that allows parties to amend terms of Section 106 legal obligations.

This is a developer contribution designed to offset the effect of building new schemes.