Budget supermarket chain Aldi has submitted a planning application for its proposed £50m regional distribution centre and HQ on Sheppey.

Last month, we reported on the German company’s plans for land it owns at Neats Court, Queenborough, which could create 400 jobs.

Details of the development were received by Swale council last Wednesday along with a cheque for more than £110,000 to cover the cost of the planning fee, which reflects the size of the proposed facility.

It would be located off Thomsett Way and would include a 14-acre warehouse – roughly four times the size of the 3.5 acre Morrisons on the other side of the road.

There will also be offices measuring more than 40,000 sq ft, parking for 325 vehicles, 56 bike spaces and 94 goods in and goods out service bays.

More than half of the development site is in a flood zone identified by the Environment Agency and is identified as being at risk from tidal waters.

To reduce the threat, it is proposed that the finished floor level of the main building would be 5m above the ground and a gatehouse raised by 3.65m and the truck service area by 3.40m.

A surface water drainage system has also been designed which circles the entire area.

It is estimated the distribution centre would see about 1,674 vehicles, including goods lorries, arriving and departing every day.

Aldi was granted outline planning permission for a distribution centre in December 2007 as part of the Queenborough and Rushenden Regeneration scheme.

The latest application includes a strategy to offset the effects of the local environment, including setting up new habitats for bird species and solar panels on the roof to provide electricity.

Considerations for the surrounding landscape have been included with a gradient colour scheme of greens to try to soften the height of the building.

Speaking last month Swale’s regeneration director, Pete Raine, said: “We obviously think it will be great news for the Island and it will be good locally for employment.”