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Around 120 jobs could be created after approval was given for a £12m shops complex.
Stores and a restaurant will be included in the development at Whitfield, on the White Cliffs Business Park.
Dover district council's planning committee gave the scheme the go-ahead, on the provision outstanding details are finalised.
Direct Line Properties and Parkridge Developments are behind the scheme and Parkridge's development director David Carvey said: "We look forward to finally starting on this long-awaited project and injecting some much-needed investment and additional retail offer into the town."
The plans are for two terraced blocks of stores selling bulky goods, like fridge freezers, restricting goods sold to avoid harming Dover town centre. There is also a restaurant on the site.