HOME Bargains could open another store in Dorset and create 60 new jobs if plans to expand a retail park are approved.

Hopkins Estates LTD has submitted plans to build a two-storey retail unit, car park and surrounding landscaping at Kingsmead Business Park in Gillingham.

Kingsmead Business Park is already home to a number of business units, including Screwfix, Guild of Fine Food and City Plumbing Supplies, with a new petrol station currently being constructed.

The proposed Home Bargains will have a gross internal area of 1,627sqm and a net retail sales area of 1,429sqm. Plans state the store would sell a mixture of food and drink, homeware, cleaning supplies and toiletries.

Developers aim to build 100 new car parking spaces as well as six bicycle parking spaces. The proposed store would be accessed by a newly constructed road which will also provide access to the soon-to-be opened petrol station.

The application states Home Bargains would create 60 new jobs as well as provide a boost to Gillingham’s economy.

A statement reads: “The proposed store will generate circa 60 full and part time new job opportunities.

“The majority of these will be available to local people and will be across a range of pay scales.

“In addition to job creation, the new store will create a significant investment in the local economy, in a location of planned development generally and on a site that has been marketed for development without success for many years.”

Developers also stated they had assessed other locations in Gillingham, but found they were unable to find a suitable area to open a new Home Bargains. They also argue it is in keeping with Gillingham’s local plan.

The application states: “The application site lies in an out-of-centre location, albeit one that adjoins a planned new local centre to serve the southern expansion of Gillingham.

“A store in this location would operate as part of an expanded local centre serving the future residents of this planned urban extension as well as existing residents of Gillingham and its hinterland.”

If approved, it will be the fourth Home Bargains branch to open in Dorset, with other stores based in Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth.

Gillingham Town Council will virtually meet on Monday, April 12 to discuss and vote on the plans. Dorset Council will vote on the application at a later date.

The planning application can be viewed on Dorset Council’s website under its planning section with the reference P/FUL/2021/00176