The arrival of the new year is a time to look ahead and there are many things set to change the face of Kent in 2019.

From major shopping developments to huge housing developments, there are several big developments on the horizon.

Here is a rundown of some of the biggest projects due to be completed this year.

Ashford

The £90 million expansion of the Designer Outlet in Ashford is set to be completed in the autumn.

The 100,000 sq ft extension will almost double the size of the shopping centre by adding a further 50 units to the centre, a new food piazza and a 725-space car park.

The Garden of England interactive playground - which is costing £400,000 to build and has space for more than 200 children to play - will be the first part of the development to open in April.

Canterbury

Work to deliver a multi-storey car park is due to begin in February.

The controversial £9.1 million car park, which will offer 370 spaces, will be built next to Canterbury West train station.

Hoards of critics have hit out at the city council's proposals but after gaining planning permission in 2018, its construction is now pencilled in.

Deal

Davey lamps, pit checks, snap tins and head lamps are among a treasure trove of artifacts to go on show at the Kent Mining Museum.

Situated at the former Betteshanger Colliery spoil tip, it will occupy part of a £40 million visitor centre and conferencing suite at the purpose built Betteshanger Park.

It has been led by the Hadlow Group and is set to open this March.

Dover

Due to open early this year, the new £26 million Dover Leisure Centre will be the first county-standard competition swimming pool in Kent.

It includes a 120 station gym, a four court sports hall and two outdoor 3G football pitches in addition to the eight-lane pool.

A clip 'n' climb climbing centre is also included in the plans for the venue at Honeywood Parkway, Whitfield.

Gravesend

Work to build 400 homes is set to start in spring.

It comes three years after original plans were given the green light by the council.

Construction for the homes in Coldharbour Road in Gravesend - due to be built by Bovis Homes, Persimmon Homes and the Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust - has been described as a "nightmare" by some residents.

Maidstone

A new Marks and Spencer superstore will be the company's "premier opening in 2019 for the whole country" according to bosses at the retailer.

The two-storey site at Eclipse Park in Maidstone will have 7,808 sq m of floorspace and sell clothing, household goods, food and have a cafe.

It will become the second fashion retailer at the business park next to junction 7 of the M20, after Next opened a store in 2014.

Sheppey

Supermarket giant Aldi is set to fully open its £50 million distribution centre at Queenborough, next to Neats Court.

Work on the huge depot started more than three years ago in April 2015.

Once fully operational, Aldi expects to employ about 400 people in roles including transport, warehousing and maintenance. It is due to open in March.

Sittingbourne

The multi-million pound town centre regeneration project will continue to take shape, with a new multi-storey car park likely to open in 2019.

Work is set to begin on an eight-screen cinema complex, together with new restaurants.

The £57 million Spirit of Sittingbourne scheme is designed to claw back shoppers who currently leave the town and travel to Maidstone, Canterbury or Medway.