An historic 15th century college is set to be converted into homes after getting council approval.

The former Wye College will be transformed into 13 houses, 27 flats and about 90 car parking spaces after Ashford Borough Council gave London developer Telereal Trillium the green light to move ahead with its plans.

Significant listed buildings at the site, which is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, will be restored and turned into open community spaces, according to the developer.

A Telereal Trillium statement, available on the council’s website, explains: “The proposals for reuse of the listed building involve predominantly residential conversion, with elements of community use, including new accommodation for Wye Heritage Centre and community access to the great hall, the lecture theatre, and the chapel.

“The proposals involve sensitive restoration, and appropriate alterations to the listed buildings; exterior spaces including the quads are to be enhanced, and car parking provided to the full necessary standard, in a combination of enclosed car barns, and open parking areas.”

Planning committee members granted consent alongside a comprehensive list of 38 conditions the developer must follow.

They centre on sensitive restoration and demolition and continuous consultation with the council.

The site has remained mothballed for a number of years amid thwarted development bids and changing ownership.

Former owners Imperial College London had put forward plans for a new £1 billion science park and thousands of homes, but faced strong local opposition.

The plans were abandoned in 2006, and Imperial faced further setbacks in 2010 and 2012 when its plans to redevelop Withersdane Hall and knock down the Wolfson Lecture Theatre were scrapped.

In 2015 Telereal Trillium completed purchase of the site and now it has three years to begin the overhaul.

Speaking after the planning committee hearing Cllr Noel Ovenden, ward member for Wye, said it is a “sad day in the village’s history”.

He added: “This was a sensitive and complicated application which I feel is premature and prejudicial to the master-planning process of the wider site.

“Like many who remember the vibrancy the students created I feel sad that this chapter in the history of Wye is now closed.

“A small comfort is that members agreed with me that the Latin school, the 15th century seat of learning should remain in community use and not be consigned to be a garden shed".

A spokesman for Wye and Hinxhill Parish Council branded the decision a “missed opportunity.”

“Like many who remember the vibrancy the students created I feel sad that this chapter in the history of Wye is now closed..." - Cllr Noel Ovenden

They added: “The parish council asked the planning committee to defer the decision to enable a host of basic problems like parking, surface water, and sewage to be resolved and to provide an affordable housing contribution.

“The listed buildings should have been integrated within the whole 44 acre WYE3 site, and facilities should have been designed to benefit both new and existing residents.

“This approach is not just common sense, it is what 94.7% of residents who voted in the Wye referendum voted for in 2016.

“Instead, the planning committee ignored its agreed policy and approved an exclusive gated development.”

They said the decision lends “minimal benefits” to the wider community, heritage and economy, and places “few constraints on the developer".

They added: “The future management of the listed buildings remains vague, and this uncertainty puts two acres of heritage buildings at risk in the future.”