Aldi’s plans to build a new £6 million store in Kent are being opposed by council planners – despite a flood of support from locals.

The discount food chain has submitted a planning application to open a new food store off Newnham Court Way, in Maidstone.

The chosen site is currently green open space, but planners are opposing it because it forms part of the land allocated in the 2017 Local Plan for a medical campus with specialist facilities and associated uses in order to attract “high value, knowledge-intensive employment.”

The site falls within the parish of Boxley, and both Boxley Parish Council and Detling Parish Council have objected, principally because of the expected congestion that would result along Bearsted Road and New Cut Way.

Newnham Court Way is the access road to Bearsted Primary School, the KIMs Hospital, the Maidstone Innovation Centre, the Cygnet Hospital, and Snowfield Academy.

Boxley Parish Council points out there were supposed to be improvements to Bearsted Road and the Newnham Court Way junction before the new schools were opened – but Kent County Council (KCC) has still not started the works.

The parish said: “The road infrastructure issues need to be fixed before any further development in this area takes place.”

However, public opinion seems to be in favour of the new store.

The borough has received 239 submissions about the application of which 174 (or 73%) have been letters of support, mostly from shoppers who welcome the opportunity to buy at Aldi’s lower prices.

Tesco has objected to the scheme.

There are also objections from the Vinters Valley Nature Reserve Trust, which is concerned that surface water from the site will run directly into a culvert that feeds a lake in the north end of the nature reserve, bringing more pollution with it.

In addition, the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty lies approximately 415m to the north of the site and a Grade II listed building at Newnham Court Farm lies about 30m to the west.

The proposal is for a store with 1,315 sq metres of floor-space plus an ancillary warehouse, freezer store, and loading bay.

It would have 140 parking spaces.

While planning officers have recommended permission is refused, the ultimate decision is set to be made by Maidstone council’s planning committee on Thursday, August 24.

At least one councillor will be speaking in favour of the application at the town hall.

Cllr Stanley Forecast (Con) said “I joined the Conservative party because I believe in enterprise, opportunity and backing business.

“Aldi has a growing reputation for quality in stock and as an employer, and having worked in a local supermarket in my university days, I am absolutely delighted that others could have more job opportunities on their doorstep.”

The meeting, at 6pm, is open to the public and can be viewed live on YouTube here.

Details of the application can be viewed here.

Application number 22/505560 refers.