A SUPERMARKET development, set to create 450 jobs, has been given the thumbs up from residents but is not being supported by Dartford Council.

Grocery giant Asda also wants to build flats and a health centre on the former West Hill Hospital site, West Hill, Dartford.

But at a meeting last week, the council told residents it was against the application because it wants to build about 300 low-cost, high-density flats on the derelict grounds.

This is despite a petition by West Hill Action Group (WAG), in which 85 people who live in the area signed in favour of a supermarket.

WAG secretary Sonia Keane, said: "It's not good enough for the council to bin an idea before it's been thoroughly discussed.

"This has hardened our attitude toward the council's supposed plans for a high-density low-cost walkable estate.

"If it wanted to reach a middle ground with the community it serves, then it's going about it the wrong way."

Asda spokesman Mark Brown said: "We believe a brown field site so close to the town centre is ideally suitable for a mixed use site.

"Our application includes private and affordable housing, the rehabilitation of the West Hill health clinic, as well as a supermarket. The development would create 450 jobs.

Although the council has its objectives which are housing based, we hope to persuade it ours is the best option."

Managing Director of Kent Thames-side Chamber of Commerce Mike Pead, said: "You have to consider how the borough sees the future of the town centre. If the council wants to increase shopping in the centre, does it bring more people to live around the area so they are able to utilise the town centre's facilities, or does it build a supermarket which provides 450 jobs but takes shopping out of the centre?"

A spokesman for Dartford Council said the Asda's planning application is an outline application.

He said: "This means the application was made to establish the principle of retail and residential development on the site rather than deal with detail at this stage.

"Details will be submitted once the principle of the development has been agreed."