Bexley Council has stressed the importance of “safeguarding local shops” in response to news that a Bluewater expansion will make the centre bigger than Westfield.

Planning permission was granted this week to expand Bluewater by 20 per cent.

Dartford Council’s planning committee unanimously agreed the decision despite Bexley Council raising concerns.

A spokesman for Bexley Council said: “Despite challenging conditions in the retail sector, Bexleyheath and Crayford town centres continue to trade well.

“People clearly value convenient local shopping of the type they offer and it’s important that this is something that continues to be available.”

Objecting to the application, Bexley Council said the applicant had not “fully explored the impact on Bexleyheath and other centres”.

Research done by applicants Blueco Ltd & Bluewater Outer Area Ltd estimate 12 per cent of new customers to the expanded centre would come from “lower level” centres such as Dartford, Gravesend and Bexley.

87 per cent of employees at Bluewater come from Kent, Medway and Bexley.

The Bexley Council spokesperson said: “While we do not object in principle to the expansion of Bluewater, we believe it is very important to consider the impact its expansion may have on shops in our borough.

“Bluewater is a powerful magnet for shoppers looking for an experience and a range of goods, but it’s important that we safeguard the local shops where most of our residents continue to do most of their shopping.

“That is what we have tried to do in our comments on the planning application to Dartford Council.”

The expansion of Bluewater will see an extension of the cinema and more floor space for Topshop and H&M.

Robert Goodman, general manager at Bluewater, said the redevelopment will bring 2,000 jobs with it.