More than 40 jobs could be created in a planned warehouse development for kitchen deliveries.

Medway Council's planning committee deferred TBH Real Estates Investments Ltd's plan to build a transport distribution hub in Rochester for retailer, Wren's Kitchens, during a meeting at Chatham's Gun Wharf.

The site would be based near junction three of the M2 on land west of Maidstone Road and south of Stoney Lane, Rochester. The plans were submitted by firm representative, Clifford Thurlow, last October.

However, several neighbouring residents oppose the move, saying the site would be "visually intrusive" and sits in a "prominent position" on top of the North Downs, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Medway Council officers received three objection letters, but recommended approval for the plans, saying the site has the appearance of "disused land" and contains little natural vegetation.

Highways England also objected due to the potential harm the scheme could have on the M2, through extra vehicle movements. They called for the "worst case" trip generation assessment to be undertaken.

But, Medway Council officers say mitigation measures are in place. A report published ahead of Wednesday's meeting states: "In terms of the access, the arrangement would be a priority junction onto Stoney Lane whereby vehicles turn left into the site and right out of the site only."

Officers added that Stoney Lane would be widened to 7.3m on the southern side of the existing carriageway to ensure all vehicles can safely manoeuvre in and out.

Under the plans, bulk deliveries of kitchens would be sent out overnight, ready for installation, to customers' homes in trailers. The firm would operate 24-hours a day on weekdays.

There would be 20 delivery vehicles, varying between 7.5 tonnes or 18.5 tonnes, permanently based at the site, which would be loaded overnight ready for deliveries to customers the next day.

Drivers would leave the site between 6am and 8am before returning by 6pm. Each delivery vehicle would have a driver and a driver's mate.

The firm say they will require 40 full-time employees for driving and an extra three loaders or administrative staff.

If approved, a 60sqm mobile building would also be stationed at the Medway site to provide an office and staff room.

Wren Kitchens has more than 90 stores across the UK, including ones in Aylesford and Tunbridge Wells.

Papers submitted to the planning committee stated: "The site lies outside the urban boundary within the countryside...and opposite the Kent Downs area of outstanding natural beauty."

It adds: "However, given the history of approved employment development to the south of the proposal site within the Tonbridge and Malling boundary, and the Royal Mail depot further to the north within the Medway boundary, it must be recognised that the character of this area is changing."

A final decision will be made at a future planning committee meeting or delegated to council officers to deal with during the global coronavirus crisis.

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