IKEA is understood to have signed a deal to open its first site in Kent.

The Swedish chain has confirmed it will be the "well-known high quality retailer" taking up residence in a new unit under construction near Dartford.

But IKEA has confirmed its plans it to open a distribution centre in the 450,000 sq ft plot and not a new store open to customers.

The former Littlebrook Power Station is undergoing a major redevelopment and has already seen Amazon secure a huge warehouse on the site near the Dartford Crossing.

A 15-year lease has been signed with the developers on a pre-let agreement.

Thepowerhouse development on the old power station site by the River Thames on the western side of the Dartford Crossing is being built by Bericote Properties and Tritax near the M25.

When asked to confirm reports IKEA had joined up, Bericote declined to comment.

But the developer has shared a Property Weekly report which states IKEA is the big name behind the deal.

The retailer failed to confirm when asked whether it was moving to the site, instead saying: "Thank you for your interest in IKEA. We are currently looking into your query and will get back to you as soon as we’re able."

Kent's closest IKEA is at Lakeside in Essex, which is on the other side of the QEII Bridge, six miles away.

Developers Bericote and Tritax say the park has potential to become one of "London's largest logistics parks".

Jonathan Maher, development director at Bericote, said: “This letting underpins Bericote’s ongoing commitment to creating highly specified, modern and adaptable industrial and logistics solutions in strategic locations across the UK.

"The pre-letting during construction of this speculative development underlines the strength of the market and the very attractive attributes of the site and we look forward to repeating the same success for the next phase of the development.”

Developers of the park say it has allocated 30% of the overall Littlebrook site for permanent open space and habitat creation for wildlife.

It has also funded off-site bee habitats through Dartford-based animal sanctuary Spirits Rest.

Last month, Bericote revealed plans for the third phase of the Littlebrook redevelopment with a further 300,000sq ft logistics unit set to open in 2022.

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