Plans have been approved to replace several “dilapidated” college buildings and convert a mansion house known as “the home of netball” into almost 100 new homes.

The proposals will see two derelict blocks on the grounds of North Kent College, in Dartford converted into a mix of 93 houses and apartments.

The scheme, put forward by property developers Bellway Homes, will involve the renovation of the historic Kingsfield House which is not listed and is therefore in danger of demolition.

There is an urgent need for investment in the maintenance and conservation of the building in order to ensure its long term preservation.

It was once famously owned by Swedish PE instructor and women’s suffrage pioneer Martina Bergman-Österberg who created a physical training college specialising in gymnastics for girls and young women on-site.

It’s also linked to the founding of the international game of netball which was thought to be devised at Kingsfield because she had a pivotal role in its development.

The now derelict 19th-century building, in Oakfield Lane, is described as “architecturally attractive” but in a “dilapidated condition”.

The proposals promise to restore it to its “former glory” along with a block known as The Lodge, which will also converted into residential accommodation.

There are also several “inadaptable structures” on-site described as being “in a poor state of repair” and which no “longer meet the college’s requirements”.

They have been earmarked for demolition to make way for new housing.

Of the 93 new homes, 27 will be apartments within the converted Kingsfield Mansion Block, while there will be 19 one and two-bed apartments and 46 newly built houses.

As well as the new properties the development will also feature open spaces, two children’s play areas, several ecological measures including bat and bug boxes, wildlife stacks and piles of rocks and logs and places for “residents and visitors to sit and socialise”.

North Kent College, which also has sites in Gravesend and Tonbridge, has recently developed new educational facilities at its Oakfield Lane site.

The Dartford campus comprises an area of approximately 10.4 hectares.

The area earmarked for new housing consists of approximately 4.24 hectares and is located in the western part of the site.

The campus was previously occupied by the University of Greenwich but has undergone considerable adaption in order to provide accommodation that is fit for purpose for further education use.

However, some buildings are no longer suitable for occupation due to disrepair and are now deemed “inadaptable structures”.

Sport England had objected to planning application due to the loss of playing fields.

However, the applicant responded to say the cricket pitch in question had not been in use for more than 14 years due to the college no longer playing the sport and has since been replaced by a new sports block in the eastern part of the campus.

Some objections had been lodged against the proposals which centred around the loss of green spaces and fears over added traffic.

“This area should be turned into a decent open space that public can use for outdoor exercise in the area and if anything turn the old buildings into community centres, youth clubs and cafes to bring in something for those who already live in the area,” said one neighbour in Maple Road.

The application was approved unanimously at a meeting of Dartford council’s development control board on July 18.

No objections were raised by councillors.