Plans for a huge development of Estuary View Business Park including an Aldi supermarket are set to be given the go ahead next week.

A report from one of Canterbury City Council's senior planning officers has recommended the proposals are approved when the planners meet to discuss it next Tuesday.

Developers hope to build a new hospital, nursing home and three retail stores including the Aldi on the site off the Thanet Way.

The plans also include widening the Old Thanet Way to provide an additional lane, as well as a bus lane and extra bus stop within the site.

Head of planning Ben Young has recommended the proposals for approval, which sparked a backlash from business bosses in the town who feared it would hurt Whitstable's trade.

But Mr Young cited employment benefits and said in the report "that the impact of the proposals would not have a significant adverse impact upon Whitstable or Herne Bay town centres".

The development will be discussed at Canterbury City Council's planning committee meeting on Tuesday, July 21.