Developers have officially launched a bid to build Herne Bay's first McDonald's - as they move ahead with multi-million-pound plans to expand a shopping complex.

Kitewood Estates has lodged proposals with Canterbury City Council to construct the drive-thru at Altira Business Park in Broomfield.

As part of the project, the firm will also build branches of B&M - which will include a garden centre - and Food Warehouse, along with an unnamed builder's merchant.

The firm behind the project claims the four new businesses will create as many as 111 jobs.

"This site has the ability to further support and develop the regeneration of the area," Kitewood officials say in planning documents.

"It will create up to 111 new full-time jobs on-site and a further 67 jobs in the supply chain for local people during operation.

"The scheme delivers employment accommodation that will attract people to live, work and stay in Herne Bay."

Papers show the McDonald's - which is earmarked for a patch of former farmland - will seat up to 60 diners at a time and have an outdoor children's play area.

Its construction will put an end to Bay residents having to drive to Chestfield, near Whitstable, for their Big Mac fix.

The documents also say Kitewood will have to fork out £10.3 million to construct the entire site, which will have almost 240 parking spaces.

"The site is a vacant grassland plot that has been used previously as farmland," the papers add.

"The scheme will stimulate economic development in Herne Bay, which is vital coming out of the pandemic.

"It will provide a more diverse and attractive offering for Altira that is better suited to today’s retail environment.

"The proposed development will be of a high quality and modern design."

Altira already houses a Sainsbury’s superstore, petrol station, Snap Fitness gym, driving test centre and a branch of Screwfix.

It was revealed last year national chains City Plumbing, Brewers decorating and Toolstation will open premises at the complex.

Kitewood also submitted an application to build a 67-home estate at neighbouring Blacksole Farm, which dates back to 1529, in December.

A McDonald's spokesman told KentOnline this week: "We look forward to progressing our plans for this restaurant and continuing to work with our developers in the new year.”

The homes planned for Blacksole Farm will be in addition to the 1,430 already proposed for arable land to the east at Hillborough.

The properties are being delivered by three separate developers.

Taylor Wimpey was given the green light by former Housing Secretary Michael Gove in 2021 to erect its 900 properties, along with an 80-bed care home, shops and community centre.

The Tory minister said the drawings – which show land will also be made available for a primary school – demonstrated the 135-acre site “would be an attractive place to live and work”.

Kitewood was also given the go-ahead by the local authority to build 180 homes on its own portion of the Hillborough land two years ago.

Meanwhile, AE Estates is waiting for the city council to come to a decision on its proposals to erect 350 on the western chunk.