A town could be in line to get a new drive-thru Costa Coffee or other similar takeaway business on a former household waste recycling centre.

Sevenoaks District Council has ambitious plans to redevelop the old KCC “tip” in Otford Road, Sevenoaks, for a mixed retail and business use.

The core development, taking up approximately half the developable space, would be a drive-thru cafe, with access on a loop road off Otford Road.

It is thought unlikely to become a McDonald’s since the company already has a drive-thru branch on the Riverside Retail Park near Sainsbury’s just a few hundred yards away.

Sevenoaks council is keeping quiet about the future tenant, saying: “Nothing has been confirmed at this early stage.”

The rest of the site would be developed for four light industrial business units, of around 2,500sq ft each.

The council decided in February to allocate £3.6 million in its capital budget to redevelop the site, which is adjacent to Aldi’s on the A225.

The plot is within the Green Belt and also lies adjacent to a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The land cannot be viably redeveloped for housing because of possible pollution - it is still being monitored by KCC.

There will be an exhibition of the council’s plans at the Bat and Ball Railway Station from 9am to 5pm on Saturday, September 14.

The Otford Road site is currently used to store waste bins, but the council said it was under-utilised.

It feels that it could be better used to support jobs and the local economy. It said it already had interest from businesses keen to take up the space.

The buildings would include energy-saving measures such as solar panels, electric vehicle charging points and cycle shelters.

All the finished units, including the drive-thru, would remain in the council’s ownership and would be leased out.

The current KCC Household Waste Recycling Centre for Sevenoaks is in Main Road, Dunbrik, Sundridge,

The proposals will also be available to view on the council’s website between September 14 and October 6.

Maidstone council recently approved plans for a drive-thru Costa Coffee at Eclipse Park in Maidstone.

Once the council has considered any comments from the public, it will finalise its plans with a view to submitting a planning application to itself this winter.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

Cllr Michael Horwood (Con), the cabinet member for innovation and improvement, said: “We know from speaking with businesses, and from our Local Plan studies, that there is a desperate need for more light industrial business space in the district.

“Our proposal is a win-win for everyone. We will regenerate already developed, but underused land, providing jobs for local people.

“We will also get a long-term rental income, helping to support the important services we provide to our communities.”

“But before we move forward, we want to hear what our communities have to say.”

Construction is expected to begin in March next year, with completion in the summer of 2026.