Plans for a new Aldi store could be quashed after planning officers raised concern of the impact it would have on a town centre.

Swale's planning committee has been recommended to refuse the application for the opening of the German discount chain supermarket in Queenborough on the Isle of Sheppey.

The store, which is hoping to move from Sheerness to premises next to Neats Court retail park, has said that Home Bargains is set to fill the unit it vacates.

Plans submitted for the build include constructing the new food store with associated parking, servicing, landscaping, and new vehicle access.

Aldi first began talks with Swale council about a new store in 2017 and submitted plans in June 2019 because it said its 15-year-old branch in Sheerness was "no longer fit for purpose".

It was given the go-ahead in November 2020 and construction was about to start when rivals Tesco had the permission quashed in the High Court the following October.

By then, Aldi had already put its Sheerness store in Millennium Way on the market for £2 million.

The original planning permission, which had also been opposed by Morrisons, was challenged on three counts.

Tesco claimed there was not enough consideration given to the impact of the proposals on Sheerness town centre as a whole, that the decision to grant permission was “procedurally incorrect” as there had been no screening to determine if an environmental impact assessment (EIA) was needed. It added there were inconsistencies in the planning committee’s decision-making.

Aldi maintained an EIA was not needed as the site is allocated for large-scale employment use in the borough’s Local Plan.

Everything now hinges on the result of its resubmitted application.

Cllr Cameron Beart (Con), who sits on the planning committee, said: "It has been confirmed that the resubmission of the planning application for Aldi's new store is to be heard by the committee.

"The recommendation by the planning officer to the committee is refusal.

"This is on the grounds that the proposal would lead to an unacceptable and significantly adverse impact on Sheerness town centre.

"The officer also states that the proposal would result in 'less than substantial harm' to the heritage assets locally."

In the summary of the officer's findings it is stated the retail impact of the scheme has been independently assessed and is concluded the new store would lead to a significantly adverse impact on Sheerness town centre.

They said that harm is also identified upon the setting of a designated heritage asset.

The officer said that these harms would not be outweighed by the benefits of the proposal, primarily in respect of the economic benefits and job creation.

A spokesman for Aldi said: "We are incredibly disappointed by the officer recommendation to refuse our proposals for the relocation of our Sheerness store.

"Our Sheerness store is no longer fit for purpose and will close.

"Our relocation proposals ensure our continued presence on the island, protection of jobs and represent a significant investment in Sheppey.

"Now more than ever it is important that we continue to deliver the best possible value for millions of families across the country and Sheppey is no exception.

"We hope that planning committee members will support our proposals."

The meeting will be held at The Appleyard, Sittingbourne on December 8 at 7pm and will be streamed live on MS Teams via the council's website.

Council spokesperson said: “Councillors will discuss the resubmitted planning application for an Aldi store off Queenborough Road at next week’s planning committee meeting.

“They will review the application and either approve or refuse permission, or defer the decision if they need more information.”