[9] Kent County Council's decision to allow a 2008 expansion including leisure and gambling facilities was controversial.

[7] A 2015 car park collapse beneath the Westwood Cross Primark store revealed underground tunnels believed to have been constructed during World War I training exercises.

Researchers suggested they were subsequently used as air raid shelters for servicemen at Haine Hospital, and then sealed up.

[11][12] Kent Police put a 48 hour dispersal order on Westwood Cross in 2022 to control anti-social behaviour.

The extra police powers were introduced after reports of teens abusing shop staff, shoplifting and nuisance scooter issues.