Council planners have given the green light for a new Sainsbury’s store in Herne Bay with work to begin early next year.

The 100,000 sq ft superstore will be built by developers Terrace Hill along with a 16 pump petrol station and 32,000 sq ft new retail and industrial units at the Altira Business Park off the Thanet Way.

They will also give nearly £3m to the council to help regenerate the town centre with a two year free car parking scheme, improved pavements and signs, and a new marketing plan.

Cllr Peter Vickery Jones (Con) has been a supporter of the development and said he was “delighted” it was approved.

He said: “I’ve been pushing for ages to get this resolved, and been so keen that Herne Bay doesn't lose out yet again for the chance of investment in the town.

“This is huge investment and everyone recognises that. It will bring hundreds of jobs to the town.

"It also gives local firms the chance to expand into the new units at Altira that will also be built.”

The plans were supported at the meeting by independent business guru Nigel Hancock and Peter Goodwin from Herne Bay Town Partners.

Mr Goodwin said: “Altira is a perfect location and would be a great benefit for the town. It will stop the leakage of shoppers leaving Herne Bay to go to areas such as Chestfield, Canterbury and Westwood Cross.

“With the current development in Herne Bay there will be more and more demand for shopping facilities.

"It will stop the leakage of shoppers leaving Herne Bay to go to areas such as Chestfield, Canterbury and Westwood Cross..." - Herne Bay Town Partners' Peter Goodwin

"A Sainsbury’s would bring visitors to the town to spend their money here, and it won’t be in direct competition with town centre businesses.”

But Morrisons, who run the town centre store, said the plans would damage town centre trade and their store could lose a large chunk of their trade.

Ed Kemsley from Peacock and Smith spoke on Morrisons’ behalf. He told the meeting: “Morrisons are concerned that the combined impact will be £11m, which would be detrimental to the other businesses also in the town centre.”

Cllr Peter Lee (Con) challenged the claims, and said supermarket chain Aldi still intend to move in to the town centre.

He said: “Morrisons had the opportunity to be our development partner in the central area. They only have themselves to blame.

“If they want to make more money they can stack their shelves and open more checkouts at busy times. This is about more competition and more choice for shoppers in Herne Bay.”