Multi-million pound plans for a new warehouse on the outskirts of Ashford been approved – despite fears it will destroy the peaceful experience at a spiritual retreat next door.

Bosses at the Apta pottery company submitted plans for the £4.5m distribution centre off the A20 last year.

Owners of the neighbouring Banyan Retreat - which offers yoga and meditation experiences - raised concerns about the impact of the development, but the scheme was approved by Ashford Borough Council this week.

The retreat’s Nic Whitham said: “Maintaining a quiet, peaceful environment is essential to the operation of our business.

“In addition to many other forms of relaxation, Banyan Retreat offers many healing modalities and alternative complementary therapies which also require a peaceful tranquil environment.

“In late autumn, winter and early spring months, there is very little screening between the proposed development site and the retreat.

"With regard to movement of pallets adjacent to Banyan Retreat, we would like to see the use of quiet forklift trucks with no beepers activated during their use."

Apta, which is the trade name for Vatre Terracotta, is currently based at two locations in the town at Dencora Way and Leacon Road, and has been looking for a new home in Ashford for two years.

It is a leading supplier in garden pots and planters, doubling its sales in the last eight years to £14m.

The new warehouse - which will be built opposite the Hop Pickers pub and Holiday Inn hotel - will secure more than 30 jobs at the firm, and allow bosses to take on more staff.

Councillors unanimously approved the scheme on Wednesday night after hearing how the company’s future would have been in jeopardy if it had been forced to find an alternative home outside the area.

"It is very important to our future in Ashford..." - Paul Sykes

Managing director Paul Sykes said: “We are a growing business, an Ashford success story that has been based in the town for more than 30 years, but by 2013 we were already starting to outgrow our current site.

“The owners were determined to keep the company in Ashford, but it took us a further two years of searching to find an alternative site in the borough.

“We are absolutely delighted that Ashford Borough Council has approved our plans and we look forward to working with them to ensure that we satisfy the conditions attached to the consent.”

The development site is a six-acre parcel of wasteland owned by Oakover Nurseries.

The plans cover commercial use for the import, storage, sorting and distribution of Apta’s products, as well as a two-storey office and a showroom for the company’s customers to view its products.

“It is very important to our future in Ashford because it enables us to remain in the town for the foreseeable future,” Mr Sykes added.

“The A20 site is big enough for us to expand - it’s got excellent vehicle access and is convenient for the M20 and for our imports by road from Europe.

“It is also within easy reach of Ashford so our existing workforce will have good access, and, above all, it’s affordable.”