WORK has begun on a new retail park at North Farm, Tunbridge Wells. The development is on land previously occupied by offices and warehousing belonging to Seeboard.

Dixons and Castlemore Securities aim to build 205,000 square feet of shopping space, of which some 140,000 sq ft will be dedicated to DIY products.

The site, in Longfield Road, is just off the A21 London to Hastings road and work is due for completion within a year.

JMP Consultants, Staffordshire-based consulting civil, structural and transportation engineers, are carrying out the detailed design of road improvements giving access to the site.

They undertook an impact assessment in 2000 and the design includes a traffic signal junction and improvements to public transport, pedestrian and cycleway facilities.

The A21 roundabout leading into Longfield Road will also be enlarged to accommodate the anticipated increase in traffic.