A much larger Notcutts garden centre is part of a £85 million plan to re-develop a shopping centre in Maidstone, Kent, where it currently has a store.

Notcutts currently has a centre on the site of the proposed re-development by Land Securities.

Almost a 1,000 people attended an exhibition organised by Land Securities.

Chris Ward of Land Securities said: "This is a major project which will enhance the shopping area and we have been acutely aware of the need to involve local residents, businesses and others who have a keen interest in the modernisation of this strategically-located site.

"We have listened carefully to public feedback, in particular to issues raised about the impact on local roads, traffic congestion, improving public transport links with the town centre and the possible impact on shops within the town centre.

"We have listened and we have responded. We will spend more than £6 million on improvements to roads, roundabouts and junctions and this will upgrade the local road network, even when the new development is taken into account."

Another £1 million will fund improvements to existing Park & Ride bus links between the town centre and Newnham Court and on town centre enhancements, such as pedestrianised areas or new loans for new start-up businesses in town.

Maidstone Borough Council is expected to make a decision on the Newnham Court Shopping Village planning application early in the new year.