Ambitious plans to build a new Aldi supermarket on the site of a former gasworks have won the backing of council officers.

The proposal for the food store, which would be on Boundary Road in Ramsgate, is set to be debated by Thanet District Council's planning committee on Wednesday night.

It has been recommended councillors on the panel green light the proposal, but then delegate power back to officers to grant the full approval.

Such a move would allow the planning team to finalise how much money Aldi should contribute to local infrastructure projects before the application is signed off.

If given the go-ahead, the store will be built on the eastern side of the derelict gasworks, and opposite an existing Aldi which opened 20 years ago but is now too small for the food giant.

The proposed supermarket will be 1,900 sqm, with 118 parking spaces, landscaping and a new vehicle access onto Hardres Road and pedestrian access onto St Luke's Avenue.

Aldi bosses say the development excludes the Grade II-listed property at the gasworks, which is being converted into flats.

"The existing site area is now too small for Aldi's current needs; due to ground conditions, previous extensions and site constraints, it is not possible to redevelop this site," they said in a planning statement.

"A suitable site on the other side of Boundary Road has been found and will form the basis for this application.

"Due to the close proximity to the existing store, it is felt that this site offers significant benefits and opportunities, redeveloping a derelict brownfield site."

Once the new Aldi opens, the existing store - which has only 70 parking spaces - will close.

Planning permission has recently been granted for the redevelopment of the western part of the gasworks site for residential use, including the conversion of the listed building into flats.

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