VILLAGERS in Kings Hill, near West Malling, could soon be a short walk away from all the shops, cafes and services they need after plans were unveiled for a "high street" in the village.

The far-reaching plans are intended to make the village self-sufficient, with space for a doctor's surgery and pharmacy, Post Office, cafes, small shops and a hotel with leisure centre.

But while residents of Kings Hill will find the new shops convenient, businesses in nearby West Malling are dreading a drop in trade if the plans go ahead.

The new shops would be less than two miles away from West Malling, which has thrived from the extra trade from Kings Hill residents.

If approved, they will be arranged in six blocks of buildings, designed to face onto a series of small squares stretching between the Spitfire Pub and Asda, in Queen Street and Liberty Square.

Plans also include a total of 237 parking spaces, most of them in a multi-level car park hidden behind an office block.

Tony Lawrenson, manager of Paper Chain newsagents, in High Street, West Malling, claimed he has already lost about £5,000 a week in turnover since Asda opened in Kings Hill and feared things could get worse.

He said: "We used to get a lot of trade from Kings Hill before Asda opened. If a newsagent opens there as well then it will definitely have an effect."

Janet Morley, manager of Godfrey's Bakery, in High Street, West Malling, also believed she would lose trade. She said: "We get a lot of business from Kings Hill so it would definitely effect us if a bakery opened there. It would be nice if they made sure Kings Hill had different shops to West Malling, to give everyone a wider choice."

But that is unlikely to happen. Developer Rouse Kent is intending to create a village centre which will cater for all the essential needs of residents and will cut out their need to travel to shops in other villages.

A design statement, published last year, said Kings Hill should be "self contained" with "a wider range and choice of amenities with walking and cycling distance to home and work".

Borough councillor Cllr Mark Worrall (Con), has called for consultation with businesses in West Malling to ensure they do not suffer.

He said: "I have always said the design of Kings Hill has been done extremely well, but its failure has been a lack of consideration for local communities. "This proposal must be put out to a wide consultation, particularly with those who trade in West Malling."

The planning application has been submitted to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council by the developers and will be considered by the planning committee later this year.