TESCO is poised to open a sixth store in Gravesham - prompting fears the supermarket giant will destroy local businesses.

The new store is set to replace independent hardware store Meopham Building Supplies which has been based in Meopham Parade for 25 years.

But Bryan Sweetland, Kent County Councillor for Gravesham Rural, believes the move will bring “total chaos” to the area.

Cllr Sweetland said: “I am very much in favour of competition and consumer choice but we must protect our existing ‘local’ shops against this huge organisation.

“Gravesham Borough Council as the planning authority need to raise their game before Gravesham becomes Tesco Town.”

He said he has been inundated with e-mails from local residents opposed to the opening of a Tesco in the area.

In a conversation with a Meopham Parish Councillor Peter Hasler, the manager of Meopham Building Supplies said they were made “an offer they simply couldn’t refuse” by agents acting for Tesco.

Cllr Hasler added the owner was not looking to sell, but was offered more than he believed the premises were worth.

However when contacted by the News Shopper, Meopham Building Supplies refused to comment.

Gravesham Borough Council, the local planning authority, denied Tesco had put in a planning application, but said the site would not require planning permission to become a Tesco Express as it is an existing retail unit.

“The location is totally unsuitable and the Meopham Parade already has two small supermarkets,” Cllr Sweetland added.

“I believe that there would be total chaos along the parade and a considerable increase in the hazard level at the adjoining junction between the Wrotham Road and the Longfield Hill junction."

He highlighted last year’s ill-fated plans by the Labour administration at Gravesham Borough Council to build hundreds of new houses on the green belt locally.

He said: “They just seem to have it in for Meopham."

A spokesperson for Tesco said: “Before starting any planning or building works for a new store, we fully research the area and meet with the local council.

“This is to discuss the advantages it would bring to the area. We would only consider opening a store in a particular area, if we believed it would benefit the local community.”

A Kent County Council spokesman said: "There was apparently a recent minor planning application at the site related to the distinction between the existing storage and retail areas. However, this did not trigger the need for Kent County Council to be consulted and so we have not given any views or had any involvement in this application."