Developers have been given the go-ahead to build a children’s nursery and engineering apprenticeship centre on a 250-home estate outside Canterbury.

They will become part of the £95 million Hoplands Farm scheme in Hersden, which has been under construction for the past three years.

The apprenticeship centre is to be run by the East Kent College (EKC) group, while the Hersden Under-5s Project will be moving base to take on the new nursery, which is set to have a capacity of 36.

Due to it being in the hands of EKC, the new training facility is to become a hub for construction students from Canterbury College.

A design brief detailing the now-approved plans states: “It provides an asset for the college where students can learn construction skills which can be readily transferred into the local development sector.

“The bespoke facility will enable a dedicated training facility, enabling efficient use of the existing campus, allowing young people, employed and those out of work to access high training courses, enhancing skills opportunities.”

The residential element of the Hoplands project is in the hands of house-building giant Redrow, while all other features are in the control of Quinn Estates.

The firm, which is also set to build a new business park at the 71-acre site off the A28, gained full planning permission for the nursery and apprenticeship centre this month.

A new convenience store, GP surgery, pharmacy and dentist will also be built on the estate.

Once complete, the development will make up part of a huge expansion of Hersden, which will see the village more than double is size.

Plans for 800 homes north of the village were revealed last month, while 370 homes are to be built at the former Chislet Colliery site.

About 55% of the Hoplands site will be land that has been designated village green status - the highest form of protection from future development.

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