The leader of Dartford Council, who blasted Tesco's treatment of the town as a 'scandal, has told residents he wants to see supermarket giant Lidl open in the area.

Lidl have announced that they are looking in to building a store and flats at a site on Instone Road and hold a public consultation on November 4 between 5pm and 8pm in the Spillman Suite at Holy Trinity Church. 

Councillor Jeremy Kite told more than 100 members of Dartford's Elders Forum at the Orchard Theatre on October 27 that he had met twice with senior Lidl bosses in recent weeks.

He said despite Lidl's initial bid to open a store on the site being dismissed due to flaws in the application in April 2012, the council is working with Lidl to "improve their scheme."

Coun Kite said: "Lidl want to be in Dartford and we have been working desperately hard to bring them here.

"There were some flaws in their last application which left members of the cross-party Development Control Board little choice but to reject it but we’ve been working with Lidl bosses to suggest ways to improve their scheme and they’ve been very amenable to that.

"I think a new planning application is not too far away."

A spokesman for Lidl said: "We have identified a site on the Instone Road in Dartford for a mixed use development comprised of a Lidl store and flats above it.

"We welcome anyone who would be interested in hearing our intentions for the site to come along and meet with our representatives on the night. "

Earlier this month, Coun Kite blasted Tesco's treatment of the town as "nothing short of a scandal" following the super store's 12 year delay in opening a store in Dartford.

The latest plans for demolition work on derelict buildings at the proposed site of a store at 26 to 142 Lowfield Street was meant to start at the end of July.

The council leader added: "The clear message is that our proud market town is not going to be messed about by Tesco any more.

"With Aldi coming and Lidl knocking on the door Dartford’s retail revival is under way."

A Tesco spokesman said: "We’ve now secured the approvals we need for the demolition works on site and will begin demolition at the start of November.

"We continue to work closely with Dartford Council on our plans and will keep the local community updated on progress."