A garden centre in Ashford could be demolished to make way for the proposed junction 10a.

Ashford Borough Council’s planning committee will meet twice this month, with one meeting specifically looking at the pros and cons of the new junction planned for the M20.

One of the requirements for the scheme could see the demolition of Wyevale Garden Centre, off Hythe Road, close to the motorway.

The planning application states that a cottage and a former nursery could also be knocked down.

It says: “Businesses on the southern side of the A20 including the Wyevale Garden Centre would be removed and replaced with a balancing pond, the precise details of which will need to be confirmed.”

Since it was first suggested about 10 years ago junction 10a has been described as a vital development for Ashford, designed to relieve some of the pressure on the existing junction 10.

Construction would include a two-way 40mph link road built on a new bridge between the M20 and the A2070 at Sevington, a roundabout over the motorway, and new traffic signals at the end of Church Road.

It would also see the removal of the east-facing slip roads at junction 10.

The planning report states that the objectives behind the new junction are to ‘increase the capacity of the road network to support the delivery of residential and employment development’ in the town, and to ‘provide a new route for traffic into Ashford’.

However, the report also looks at the effects on the surrounding area which could take place if the junction is approved.

These include the use of machinery, therefore creating dust, noise and vibrations.

The report also suggests there is a potential risk of ‘killing’ or injuring notable species during the construction period.

It states: “There are valuable habitats and species present which could be affected by the proposed scheme.”

The report adds that ecological and environmental surveys will help identify ways to reduce the impact on habitat through sensitive design and the way the work is carried out.

In addition, during the construction, temporary closures or diversions could be put in place.

The report will be discussed by councillors next Wednesday from 7pm at the Civic Centre in Tannery Lane. The public are welcome to attend.

Wyevale declined to comment.

Junction 10a has been identified as a nationally significant infrastructure project, and as a result will be subject to six stages in the development process.

It is currently at stage one, the pre-application stage, which required a public consultation which is being carried out by the applicant, Highways England.

This will end on March 17.

The next step will then be to formally submit an application to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS).

If all is approved, construction could take up to 18 months.