More than 150 people have already added their names to our online petition to save the farm at Ashford's North School.

Last week the Kentish Express launched its Fight for the Farm campaign against proposals to build homes on land at the school farm.

Kent County Council has applied to build 25 houses on part of the school farm on Essella Road.

Among those backing the campaign against the development are parents, pupils, teachers, and former students including Olympic cyclist Jamie Staff and X Factor producer Clair Breen.

Plans show county hall bosses want to build the homes on land used by the farm to house eight pigs and 30 chickens.

Farm manager Nia Atkinson said the school is prepared to fight the scheme all the way.

The former farmer of the year said: “The land they want to use is farmland, despite KCC saying it isn’t.

“If it does go through we’ll lose half the farm and three of our main buildings as well as the horticultural area.”

Show your support by signing our petition here!

The site also features woodland and other areas are used for growing vegetables and flowers used by the school for floral arranging.

Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist and former North School pupil Jamie Staff said: “The farm has been on the school’s site for years and I’ve been led to believe that KCC are not offering any funds for relocating it.

“It’s a shame to hear what’s happening and I know it offers children the opportunity to get into farming at an early age. There have got to be other places they could build houses.”

In the application by KCC Property Group, county hall officials claim the 1.5 acre site is “vacant land” and “does not contain any use where employment is an issue.”

But Miss Atkinson, 24, said: “We have three people running the farm and this is our livelihood and we want to keep expanding the size of the farm, not be forced to downsize it.

“The school and the farmers are committed to fight this and we’re going to do everything we can to keep the farm going.”

Video: Pupils will fight to save farm

X Factor producer Clair Breen, who attended the school, added: “I think it’s really important that we protect land in and around Ashford town, otherwise we’ll be left with no open spaces. The farm is educational for children and if it’s taken away we’re depriving them of the chance to learn.”

Ashford council had logged 161 objections by January 15, the official cut-off date for opposition.

Deputy head teacher Stephen Dove said that if the scheme was approved it would threaten the young farmers’ club and the ability for pupils to visit the farm.

He added: “The proposed access and entrance to the residential development occurs in close proximity to the school entrance and poses risks to students leaving and accessing the school site.

“I am also concerned about the very close proximity of residential buildings to school classrooms.

“This unique parcel of land is a valuable asset for the Ashford community and has significant educational value, importance and potential for current and future generations.