Tesco granted planning permission for a retail-led regeneration in Kent

The retail-led development was granted planning permission by Dartford Council. The plans include the provision of a Tesco supermarket and cafe, a street of commercial units and 231 new homes.

The centre of the scheme will be the development of a 100,000 square foot Tesco supermarket, which will also include a cafe. Shops will be spread along a 380 metre stretch of street to the side of the superstore.

The shops along the street to the side of the superstore will be housed in a further 45,000 sq ft of commercial space that the developers will provide. There will be ten new stores, aimed at attracting more retailers and restaurants to Dartford.

Permission has also been given for the provision of 231 new one and two bedroom apartments, subject to the agreement of the section 106 provisions. Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act allows authorities to ask for measures in 'mitigation' of the upheaval caused by developments.

The designs are said to respond to guidance from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and English Heritage’s guidance and will retain and restore existing buildings in the market town, combining these with new buildings.

“We have a successful track record of completing bespoke mixed-use, complex town centre schemes within major retail areas and towns," said Jonathan Simpson, corporate affairs manager for Tesco.

"We have worked in partnership with Dartford Borough Council and the local community to jointly develop the vision for Dartford’s regeneration. This decision paves the way for the vision to become a reality and bring life back to Lowfield Street and Dartford town centre," said Simpson.

Tesco opened two million square feet of space in 2010 and is actively seeking opportunities to continue expansion both for stores and supply chain.