An outdoor cinema company with financial backing from cinema giant Sony will expand significantly if plans for a new base in Kent are approved.
Developers say a bid to open a warehouse for Luna Cinema at a proposed business park in Dargate, near Faversham, will create 50 full-time jobs.
The site in question is a 2.5 acre grassy paddock off Thanet Way encircled by Highstreet Road and the Plumpudding Lane bridge.
Originally, George Wilson Developments wanted to build a McDonald’s on the land – but the drive-thru vision was later scrapped following a strong backlash from surrounding villagers.
The proposals were withdrawn three months ago but a revised application – minus the McDonald’s – is now in the hands of Swale Borough Council.
A warehouse for Luna Cinema – currently based in Sittingbourne – is set to be the site’s flagship unit between Whitstable and Faversham.
It will house giant screens and serve as a distribution center.
The company, majority-owned by industry giant Sony, prides itself as the nation’s “leading producer of outdoor cinematic events” – hosting screenings at venues such as Leeds Castle.
Meanwhile, IT company The Change Organisation, which has a long-standing presence in Whitstable, is also keen to move to the Dargate site.
Another unit is also proposed, but the tenant is not known.
Planning documents state, “Luna Cinema will provide 50 full-time jobs and the other two plots are expected to provide an additional 60 jobs between them.
“Overall, the proposed site will provide around 120 jobs, with further jobs to be created by the development of the rest of the site in the future.
“In addition to this, the development will provide additional revenue for non-domestic rates to the borough council.”
Josh Wilson, who works for George Wilson Developments, added: “Luna is now majority owned by Sony, so they’ve exploded in terms of expansion.
“They need new, bigger premises and this site can accommodate that.”
Mr Wilson says it is an ideal location for a business park due to its proximity to Thanet Way.
However, villager Jacqueline Warden objected, saying, “We don’t need more industrial units in Dargate.
“There are already a large number of units under construction on the other side of Thanet Way.”
