The dream is edging closer to reality.

Developers are putting the final touches to ambitious plans (pictured above) to regenerate Lowfield Street, in Dartford town centre.

They are aiming to accommodate Dartford council’s insistence that the revised project includes not only a giant Tesco store, but also new shops for major chain outlets.

In an exclusive interview with the Messenger, council leader Cllr Jeremy Kite said he hopes work on the long row of boarded up shops will start next year.

Cllr Kite said: "It’s been a bit of a poker game, but we’re now very close."

Developers are due to submit their latest and revised plans in January.

Full the full story, see this week’s Dartford Messenger.