A MAJOR plan for a £500 million project near Junction 7 of the M20 at Maidstone could create more than 2,000 jobs.

The scheme would move Newnham Court Shopping Village and create a private hospital, offices, a university campus and park-and-ride space for 1,500 cars.

It would also give the county town a more prestigious gateway from the motorway.

The so-called Newnham Park plan aims to counter the threat to Maidstone’s prosperity from Ashford and the Thames Gateway.

These huge growth points are set to suck in billions of pounds of investment during the next 20 years, potentially leaving Maidstone out in the cold.

The scheme would add 100 acres of land for vital commercial development in a town that has a serious shortage of business space.

Sources claim the shortfall is as much as three million square feet – or 200 acres. Brownfield sites previously used by industry have been given over to housing. Experts are also worried about the town’s low-wage economy and pockets of deprivation.

They claim an influx of high-quality jobs would boost pay levels and lift prosperity.

The plan has been drawn up on behalf of landowner Harvestore by David Hicken Associates, based on the new Eclipse Park development, opposite Newnham Park.

Mr Hicken, a former planning officer with Maidstone council, said: "If Maidstone is to fulfil its potential, it needs to identify strategically located development opportunity sites at motorway junctions."

He insisted no woodland would be destroyed by the plan.

Mr Hicken has held talks with possible funding and development partners, as well as the University College for the Creative Arts (formerly Kent Institute of Art and Design), Notcutts and the Cardio-Thoracic Consortium.

They are all said to be interested but want to see whether the scheme wins council backing before committing themselves.

Mr Hicken added: "The plan reinforces the county town status and capitalises on its fantastic strategic location. I’ve always felt Maidstone has been on the cusp of achieving its potential."

Under the plan, the shopping village, which has about 40 retail outlets, would be relocated to a neighbouring site closer to Bearsted.

Trevor Gasson, the council’s deputy chief executive, said Maidstone was popular with business but it did not have enough good quality, well-located land.

"The council is welcoming towards development around the motorway interchanges but at this stage it is too early to say we support the plan which David Hicken has drawn up."

Chris Capron, chief executive of Invicta Chamber of Commerce Maidstone, welcomed the plan. He has long argued for development around motorway junctions.

"Maidstone is well served with motorway junctions but has a dearth of appropriate space within the town itself," he said. "A lot of what has been available in the town centre is quite dated.

The plan was great news, he said. "It would allow growing businesses already in Maidstone to expand outwards. It’s a very interesting idea and would raise Maidstone’s game."

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