by Martin Jefferies

Plans for a major extension to Westwood Cross shopping centre have been unveiled.

A huge non-food store could be built next to TK Maxx, creating up to 150 new jobs.

With a floor space of some 70,000 sq ft, the two-storey development would be around the same size as the nearby Debenhams store.

It would be built on the existing staff-only car park, although plans for the shopping centre also include around 140 new parking spaces, which would be accessed from Antolin Way.

It is not known which company would lease the store, although Primark has consistently been linked with a move from Margate to the out-of-town complex.

Meanwhile, a long-term masterplan for Westwood Cross - published for the first time last week - also reveals that Sainsbury's could move to a new location off Haine Road.

The new supermarket would be considerably larger than the existing store, with a floor space of around 80,000 sq ft.

Two additional retail units would be built next to the superstore, which would also feature a large new car park, located behind the disused Grupo Antolin building.

Part of the existing Sainsbury's car park would be replaced with six new shops. These would be built alongside 'The Link' retail park, which includes Smyths and Hobbycraft.

A new road linking Antolin Way with Margate Road would also be built.

At this stage, developers have only submitted a planning application for the new store next to TK Maxx. However, they have said the additional works will eventually form part of a separate application.

The plans can be viewed in full online at www.ukplanning.com/thanet, using the reference number 10/1005.

They are also available at Thanet's Gateway Plus in Cecil Street, Margate, during normal opening hours.

Comments must be received before Friday, January 7. They can be emailed to planning.services@thanet.gov.uk or sent by post to Thanet District Council, PO Box 9, Cecil Street, Margate, CT9 1XZ.

The proposals will be considered by Thanet council's planning committee early next year.