Councillors are expected to reapprove planning permission for a large medical campus set to bring more than 3,800 jobs.

Developers have resubmitted proposals for Kent Medical Campus near Junction 7 of the M20 as permission granted in 2013 is due to expire in April.

The development is on land next to Newnham Court shopping village and next to the KIMS private hospital which opened in 2014.

Planning officers have recommended that councillors approved the scheme at a meeting on Thursday night.

If given the go-ahead, the campus would cover up to 98,000sq m (about 25 acres) and could feature a paediatrics unit, a women’s health unit, a neurological rehabilitaiton centre and a medical training centre.

It is hoped the site will also become home to research and development facilities, pathology laboratories and a medical training centre, as well as a cafe and some shops.

Construction has already begun on an £18 million mental health hospital run by Cygnet Health Care on the campus.

A planning report by Maidstone Borough Council said: “The development would clearly bring significant economic and social benefits.

“From construction and operation the development is expected to provide over 3,800 jobs and given the nature of the development, the employment generated would be likely to comprise a high proportion of highly skilled jobs across the health and education sectors and associated enterprises.

“A fundamental component of the campus development proposed is on-site training and medical-related higher education facilities which would clearly provide economic and social benefits.”

The campus forms part of the North Kent Enterprise Zone, an area where the council can offer firms discounted business rates in exchange for moving to the site.

Approval of the scheme, which is being led by real estate investment manager Jones Lang LaSalle, is subject to a number of conditions.

These include a contribution by developers towards bus services, education, libraries, youth services, and parking controls, as well as employing local people during construction.