Plans have been submitted to build a new business park on farmland.

If approved, the 6,000 sq m plot off the A249 could be home to 24 commercial units, as well as a retail outlet and a “drive-thru establishment” near Neats Court in Rushenden.

Developer Sheppey Gateway Ltd says it could create between 97 and 404 jobs.

It goes on to say that, while the undeveloped parcel of agricultural land is considered “open countryside” in planning terms, it is “clearly located within a developing area”.

This comes after plans for a Lidl supermarket were approved – although the decision now hangs in the balance after a legal challenge from rivals Tesco and Aldi.

Some 700 homes for Barton Hill Drive have also been approved in the area after going to appeal.

If the business park plans are approved the development will sit near the £18 million Walbrook Business Park which is under construction.

The site is surrounded by the A249 to the west, the A2500 to the north and Sheppey Way to the east and south, between Queenborough and Minster.

Sheppey Gateway says the site is “extremely well located” thanks to this infrastructure as well as nearby public transport links.

A new access would be created onto Sheppey Way in the form of a new priority junction, incorporating a right-turn lane.

There would also be nearly 150 parking spaces.

Sheppey Gateway also highlighted that the land to the west forms part of the Queenborough and Rushenden Regeneration Area, which is earmarked in the Queenborough and Rushenden masterplan for a mix of residential, employment and community uses.

If the business park plans were approved, it is estimated that the development would take two years to build and would support 43 full-time construction jobs.

To view the plans click here using the planning reference 23/504290/OUT.

Swale council received the plans last Thursday.