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A giant supermarket is set to be built at the entrance to Medway City Estate.
Councillors overturned planning officers and decided to support Sainsbury's plan to create a superstore on the estate, in Strood.
The shop could now be open within two years and the development will include a park and ride scheme and major road improvements.
Medway Council planning officers said the development would harm Chatham and Strood shopping centres.
But the planning committee, welcoming the £9 million investment and around 500 jobs, voted in favour on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, Tesco has submitted plans for massive expansion of its Strood store.