Three hundred luxury holiday houses aimed at wealthy tourists are planned for an area of outstanding natural beauty south of Canterbury, the Gazette can reveal.

The project at Highland Court Farm off the A2 near Bridge also proposes a 150-home retirement village, a 50-acre business park and a new home for Canterbury Rugby Club.

Relocating the rugby club at a cost of £4 million would also release the 16-acre fields and clubhouse at its current base in Merton Lane North, sparking speculation it will be ripe for new houses.

Highland Investments Company (HICO) will lead the development of the 300-acre site at Highland Court Farm.

Its managing director, Gary Walters, said the location was ideal for “sensitive” tourism development, which he claimed would offer a big boost to the local economy.

“We are at the very initial stages of the proposal by the Whigham family, which owns the 300-acre farm and is very aware of the AONB status of the land,” he said.

“But its very special quality makes it desirable for tourism, which we would manage with sensitivity and aim to enhance the local wildlife and environment so more people could enjoy it.

“Just because it’s an area of outstanding natural beauty, shouldn’t mean you can’t do anything with it.

“What we are talking about with the holiday homes is sustainable development in a rural area, which – unlike permanent residential accommodation – will not put an added strain on education and health services.

“The area is already well-served, especially along the coast, with affordable holiday accommodation, like mobile homes.

“But what we are proposing is more upmarket holiday houses in parkland settings that will bring spending power to local pubs and especially in the city.

“There would be nothing like it in Kent, and it would be nice to think it is something the county would aspire to.”

HICO is working closely on the project with developer Mark Quinn, who says the currently under-used junction to the site off the A2 at Barham makes the project viable.

He added: “We are in the very early stage of discussions and everything has to go through the due process.”

As well as luxury holiday homes and a retirement village, the scheme includes expanding an existing business park, which currently employs hundreds of people in smaller units.

An artisan food and drink hub and a health club and spa are also proposed.

Mr Walters said: “It is a beautiful location but not many people can currently enjoy it.

“Our aim is to open it up, in a managed way, with educational walks and trails for many more people to benefit.

“We would work closely with Natural England to achieve this.”

Canterbury Rugby Club’s potential £4 million move to Highland Court is being described as a “very exciting opportunity” by the club’s commercial manager, Giles Hilton.

Founded in 1929, the club moved to Merton Lane North just after the war, but its success means it is now outgrowing the site.

“We are bursting at the seams and, although we are only at the early stages of any potential relocation, it does present a very exciting opportunity to move the club up to another level,” said Mr Hilton.

He said the owners of the club’s existing ground were happy to end the lease early so the move could go ahead.

The new facilities at Highland Court would include a 4,000 sq ft clubhouse, four RFU pitches, three junior pitches and a 200-space car park.

The move would cost around £4 million, but that would include the donation of 15 acres of land worth £1,125,000, investment of £750,000 from the developers, and utilities worth £250,000. The club would also apply for outside sports funding.

It is also hoped provision might be made for a sports hall for the club’s successful wheelchair rugby team.

Mr Hilton said the club committee believed it was the best way forward, and a presentation of the proposals to members and supporters was being held at the clubhouse between 2pm and 8pm on Thursday, March 2.

“It’s all about future-proofing the club and moving it towards professional status, and the new facilities would also provide us with an opportunity for increasing revenues,”said Mr Hilton.

No timescale has yet been set for the development or the submission of an official planning application.