Logistics giant DHL has signed a deal to become the first tenant at a major new development in the county.

The firm has taken up 110.406 sq ft of space on Panattoni Park - previously the site of Aylesford Newsprint.

Staff at DHL will be relocated from its existing distribution centre nearby.

Industrial developer Panattnoi is creating 1.9million sq ft of logistics space at the site after permission was granted in March. It has said it plans to invest £180m into the site with hopes it will create 3,000 new jobs.

Preliminary agreements have also been agreed with four other potential occupiers - who have not been revealed yet - for warehousing and distribution space on the 90-acre site near junction four of the M20.

Two planning applications have been submitted to Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council to agree details of the layout, access and appearance for the proposed new tenants.

Anthony Watkins, development director at Panattoni, said: “When we acquired the Aylesford site we knew it would be enormously attractive to the logistics and warehousing industry.

“The response from leading players has been fantastic. The good news for our tenants, and the Kent economy, is that we are now planning for the park to be fully operational by the third quarter of 2023, which is at least a year ahead of our original schedule.”

Preparation work on site is already under way on the new DHL building, with the new £7m link road due to be completed before DHL takes occupation in July 2022.