A national discount store has been announced as the latest addition to the Estuary View Business Park development.

Home Bargains will move into the third unit joining Aldi and an M&S Foodhall as the confirmed retailers for the Thanet Way site and work will begin next month.

It sells branded products from homeware essentials to food and drinks, with more than 400 stores across the UK.

Whitstable businessman George Wilson said: “It’s a nice blend of different stores and will be a good range for shoppers.

“We’re hoping work will commence on the retail part of the site next month to be ready and opened before Christmas.”

Mr Wilson teamed up with Kimberley Developments and gained planning approval for a new hospital, nursing home and stores in July last year.

He expects the 4,000 square metre retail development to create 300 jobs, with one half in full- and part-time retail positions and the other half staffing new medical buildings.

But Whitstable Chamber of Commerce president Brian Hitcham said the new store could be a nightmare for the town.

He said: “The two food stores might not majorly affect trade in the town but because of the nature of what Home Bargains does as a well-known popular store it could take trade away from the High Street. It will be a massive place equivalent to 30 town centre shops.”

The stretch of the A290 Thanet Way from the roundabout next to the business park to the Long Reach roundabout will be widened to ease traffic flow.

The work will see the approach from the western entrance of the Long Reach roundabout have a third lane – one for vehicles turning left and two for those going straight on or turning right.

Vehicles approaching from the Long Reach roundabout and Chaucer Business Park will then be faced with two lanes and a pedestrian crossing before the entrance to the site on their left.

A new footpath and cycle lane are also in the pipeline and the developer continues to work with water and electricity companies at the site.

Mr Wilson said: “Road improvements must be made before the stores can open but we are already underway.

“Kent County Council is checking the road and I am one million per cent sure that we will have roadworks over the summer.

“A lot of money is being spent to ensure the road is safe.”

Mr Hitcham said: “My main concern is traffic – it is already a nightmare at the Long Reach roundabout.

“If they have more lanes along the Thanet Way and put lights coming in and out of the retail site it will inevitably slow everything up and could cause more accidents.

“People will be watching out for multiple lanes at the roundabout and trying to squeeze in.

“It is a token road improvement and I’m gobsmacked nobody has seen this as a potential danger.”

Outline planning permission was also granted for a community hospital, teaching care home and extra care housing.

Kia car dealership Harbour Garage will also be moving from its premises in Tower Parade to the Estuary View site.