Plans to expand Bluewater by 20% will not be challenged by the government.

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson hailed the decision yesterday as a ‘victory for localism’ despite Gravesham council opposing the decision.

The decision to grant permission for a Bluewater expansion was taken by Dartford council, but contested by Gravesham.

It appealed to the government to call in the planning application and make a ruling on it themselves.

Mr Johnson opposed this move and wrote to the Planning Minister to plead that the decision should be left with Dartford council.

Planning Minister Nick Boles said that after careful consideration he was “satisfied that, whilst controversial, the application does not raise issues of the wider strategic or policy nature envisaged by the call-in policy.”

Mr Johnson said: "I was surprised that Gravesham council objected to Bluewater's expansion and that they had asked for central government to decide on the issue instead of local people.

"Whitehall should not interfere with local decisions like this.

"I am therefore really pleased that the government has rejected this request and pleased that local people will retain the power to decide on local issues in Dartford.

"Bluewater's expansion should be welcomed. It will bring thousands of new jobs to the area and allow Bluewater's success story to continue"

Gravesham passed its own expansion plans for the Heritage Quarter earlier this year.

Among them was outline planning permission to expand St George's Shopping Centre and bring in more shops to boost Gravesend's town centre.

Around 2,300 jobs are expected to be created as a result of demolishing and enlarging the West Village with up to 40,000 square metres of extra retail and catering space.

Currently, 93% of Bluewater’s workforce live in Kent, with 45% of jobs held by people who live in Dartford or Gravesham.