Opponents of the new Next store off junction 7 of the M20 say the chain should have used empty space in the town centre instead.

Next recently got planning permission for a home and fashion store on the Eclipse business park. It also announced plans to leave its Mall Chequers home of 15 years.

But Paul Alcock, general manager of The Mall in Maidstone, thinks the company should have used the former TJ Hughes site in the shopping centre instead.

It stands empty after Beales moved out earlier this year, and measures 6,185sq m, approximately 400sq m bigger than the building Next plans on Bearsted Road.

Mr Alcock said: “I don’t see how they can argue about the parking, the empty unit is right next to our car park, and our centre is in the middle of the town.

“This can only mean that a large number of shoppers, and ultimately jobs, which will be drawn from the town centre. This would be the worst possible result for the Maidstone community.

“We are certain the type of development proposed for Eclipse Park is inappropriate and could lead to further out-of-town developments.”

Adjacent to the unused retail unit is a 1050-space car park, across eight floors, but Next says the unit is in a poor location with a lack of surface level parking.

Instead the retail giant will build a 5,748sq m store with space for 167 customer parking spaces.

Seven members of the planning committee voted in favour of the development, with six against it and no abstentions, on Thursday, June 6.

Members who approved the store argue it will create jobs which outweighs the negative impact of it taking town centre trade away.

Next declined an invitation from the Kent Messenger to make a statement.