Plans for The Range and a Costa Coffee drive-thru in a town have been approved.

Councillors at Ashford Borough Council (ABC) have given the go ahead for eight large shops, including a garden centre and a vet, to be built next to John Lewis at Home.

Around 450 jobs would be created at this 'homewares' hub.

The new home of the retail park by Drovers Roundabout was previously earmarked for a park and ride but this never materialised.

Sean McGrath, who represented the developer behind the scheme, Castle City Estates, at the planning meeting last night (December 12) said: "This will not look like a traditional retail warehouse park.

"We have worked very hard to create a design that is unique, contemporary and high quality using natural materials.

"In my view, it is an outstanding solution to meeting the very exact design standards of the council and also the needs of fussy retailers."

Castle City Estates say the buildings will be made with natural materials and left in a "raw state" to match the surrounding woodlands.

The developer also insisted this plan will not impact the town centre but instead complement the John Lewis store already there.

Mr McGrath added: "This scheme will claw back trade that is currently leaking elsewhere and provide choice and competition for existing and future residents.

"When the retail market is in a state of flux, it is a vote of confidence that people want to invest in Ashford and retailers want to open new stores here."

While the plans received unanimous support from councillors, the Central Ashford Community Forum raised their concerns about traffic on the roundabout.

Cllr Bernard Heyes echoed these concerns by saying: "In the rush hour and busy times, at the moment with just John Lewis there, there are tailbacks that go back to the roundabout.

"Even though this development will be good for Ashford, I'm slightly concerned."

However a council officer assured the committee that Kent County Council has assessed the area to ensure the roads would not be too badly affected by increase in cars on the road during peak hours.