Council leader Jeremy Kite has demanded Tesco relinquishes its land in Dartford following their decision to scrap the Lowfield Street development.

In a statement, published yesterday on the Dartford Conservatives website, Cllr Kite promised to act swiftly after the supermarket halted plans to build in the town.

He urged Tesco bosses to give back land it does own to another developer who could deliver regeneration and referred to them as a "toxic" brand in Dartford.

Cllr Kite said: "It is clear to us that Tesco must relinquish the land it no longer intends to develop.

"They may be thinking of alternative plans of their own but we have given them our very clear view that Tesco is a ‘toxic’ brand in Dartford and they should relinquish the land to those with a better desire and vision to deliver.

"Significant interest is already being shown by a number who believe they can."

Moving forward, Cllr Kite revealed a cross-party Lowfield Street working group will meet within days to highlight community views for the area.

He says suggestions so far include an ice rink and affordable housing.

But the council is also drawing up their own plans and will look to replicate the development of Central Park, which was completed in 2009.

Cllr Kite said: "Our Central Park renovation is a modern success story with a design unashamedly drawn straight from our town’s heritage and tradition.

"It is clearly loved by local people (and when even our political opponents can’t bring themselves to criticise it, we have surely done it right!)

"We believe it is its relationship with Central Park that is the key to Lowfield Street’s future.

"Ensuring that Lowfield Street connects with, reflects and enhances the amazing public space that has been created at Central Park should set the bar for what is acceptable and what is not."