Great Easthall residents who were angry at being denied a shop could get one after all – as long as they run it themselves.

Trenport Investments Ltd wants to build up to 33 homes at the entrance to the estate on Swale Way.

It would be the final section to be developed and was once earmarked as a “neighbourhood centre” – somewhere for shops and possibly a pub.

But Trenport argues a shop would not be commercially viable, blaming the fact there is no passing trade as the Northern Relief Road, which would link the area to the A2 near Bapchild, has never been completed.

In response to the planning application for the homes, 60 letters were received by Swale council from people living in Great Easthall and top of the list of concerns was lack of a convenience store.

An e-petition urging “amenities not properties on the entrance to the Great Easthall estate” with at least 120 signatures was also sent to the council.

In the absence of a shop, the council’s planning officers suggested Trenport could consider contributing towards setting up a community shop.

A report to be considered by the authority’s planning committee this week says: “Such a shop would be run by members of the local community with a paid manager and volunteers and all profits put back into the shop.

“The shop would sell essentials and any other goods the community requires.”

Trenport has said it would pay to build the shop, contribute towards fitting it out, professional fees and a manager’s salary for up to two years. The total offered is £180,000.

Despite the committee report saying feedback from people had been “positive”, elsewhere in the same report doubt is expressed the shop would ever happen.

Gareth Harvey, speaking to the Sittingbourne News Extra, has lived in Mulberry Way for more than 10 years.

“A number of us have formed an objection group and have been fighting hard on behalf of our community, in order to get the amenities that the piece of land in question was intended for,” he said.

“We are still awaiting news on the community shop proposal – we simply haven’t been given enough detail or any guarantee with this option.”

Council planners have recommended the plans be approved, with the community shop plan to form part of a planning agreement that any developer would be tied to.

The matter will be discussed by committee members tomorrow.