Around 60 homes are set to be built on former college grounds and nearby offices.

The plans for land in Wye, near Ashford, will see more homes built on the land around the 15th-century former Wye College.

Split into two separate applications, they will see 40 homes built on the college land, while a further 20 will rise from the demolition of offices formerly belonging to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

The two conjoined applications are part of a scheme that spans almost 100 homes in total on the land.

They follow on from a third proposal that will see 38 homes replace part of the former college through restoration and alterations, having been approved in April of last year.

A public inquiry had been held into all three proposals following an appeal from the developers at the beginning of 2021, with the planning inspectorate deciding to allow the college building's redevelopment but quashing the other two.

Though the land was agreed as a good development site in principle – and that it wouldn't seriously affect the area of outstanding natural beauty – the report raised concerns over the scheme's impact on the Stodmarsh Nature Reserve near Canterbury.

Poor water quality levels at the internationally important nature reserve have stalled housing developments across east Kent recently.

However, it was noted at the time that the planning inspector had agreed 'on principle' with both refused plans, with councillors believing that this made future development inevitable.

On Wednesday evening, both applications were heard at a full Ashford Borough Council planning meeting having been revised and resubmitted.

Problems with the plans for the former DEFRA site, including its lack of provision for affordable housing, were addressed, while the plans for the college grounds said that developers had drawn up additional information about the Stodmarsh issue.