A controversial scheme to expand a science park could create 500 jobs over the next five years.

Kent Science Park has unveiled plans to inject a further £25million into the Sittingbourne complex to meet demand for more space by existing tenants and potential inward investors.

Proposals include extending the park by four hectares, two new technology units and an "Arrivals Centre," and new commercial space of up to 129,000 sq ft.

The extension would be used for the cosntruction of an international headquarters for Ecologia, an award-winning firm that wants to expand on-site.

The park has shrugged off falling demand for commercial property by facing increased demand from existing tenants and would-be investors.

The new Arrivals Centre would replace the existing gatehouse and create a new entrance building that includes a wildflower meadow-covered roof.

Andrew Bull of park management company LaSalle Investment Management said: "Given the recent economic slowdown the expansions plans of existing and new tenants demonstrates the value of knowledge-based business in these difficult times. This announcement shows that we, and our tenants, are committed to Kent and in particular Swale.

"These proposals, which are consistent with the Swale Local Plan, would ensure that the Park has the ability to accommodate the needs of existing tenants and new companies moving to the Park over the next four to five years.

"At the Park we operate a ‘Gateway Policy’, which effectively vets any company applying to move on site and ensures we remain focused on building a strong science and knowledge-based community of companies.

"We are now perfectly placed to deliver a step change for Swale’s economy and play our part at the heart of the Borough’s ambitions for its regeneration."

The park’s site director James Speck added: "The site for the new Tech Units is located on the only undeveloped plot within the existing Science Park that is enclosed by the existing security fence. The new Tech Units would accommodate 100 employees."

He was delighted that Ecologia wished to grow and said it was the kind of ambitious company that was essential to the Swale’s economic regeneration. "It is essential that we do everything we can to help them grow at Kent Science Park."

The arrivals centre was needed to create the right impression for the 1,000 people who work on site and the suppliers and businesses that visit the park every week.

At a recent consultation, some local residents expressed concern about the project.