A new industrial estate that could create "between 200 and 2,200" jobs has been approved for Paddock Wood.

The site was granted outline planning permission by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, provided the developer, Gallagher Group Holdings, complete a binding legal agreement to provide £250,000 to support local infrastructure, including £16,000 towards a new roundabout on the A228 Whetsted Road.

The development forms the first part of plans to create a 3,500-home garden settlement at Paddock Wood.

The industrial park will sit adjacent to the Transfesa Industrial Estate with access from Lucks Lane.

The 8.2-hectare site is currently arable farming land, part of Swatlands Farm.

New employment opportunities are seen as an integral element of creating a sustainable community, with jobs to serve the expanded town's population.

The industrial estate will provide around 15,000 sq m of floorspace for light and general industrial businesses, and a further 3,100 sq m of office space, across seven different units.

It will come with 355 car parking places and 24 HGV spots.

The development will involve widening Lucks Lane and other improvements to the road network, as well as enhanced cycling and walking routes.

Cllr Hugo Pound, the cabinet member for housing and planning said: "The emerging local plan has been developed to ensure that we have the right housing, employment and infrastructure in the right locations across the borough to enable the whole area to flourish, both now and in the future.

"This development is one step on that path and I welcome the decision to approve it.

"More local employment opportunities will be essential to sustainable development in Paddock Wood and beyond."

The developer’s plans include green space, and the preservation and improvement of key areas of woodland, hedgerows and an existing orchard.

To view and comment on the scheme, click here and search for reference 22/01929

The scheme had been opposed by Paddock Wood Town Council, which was concerned about flooding and traffic issues, and by 27 local residents.