A huge area of Kent farmland hosting family attractions, a popular business park and the world’s largest collection of fruit trees has been sold in a multimillion-pound deal.

The 146-acre Brogdale Farm, on the outskirts of Faversham, was put on the market for £4.85 million in July last year, a figure described as “quite conservative” by agents George Webb Finn.

New owners The East Malling Trust have officially taken over the sprawling site, and have vowed to work with Brogdale Collections – a charity which aims to provide public access to the National Fruit Collection.

However, despite the lot being marketed as having potential for “significant further commercial development”, it is not expected the new owners will look to capitalise on this beyond existing schemes.

Residential development on the Grade 1 and 2-listed farmland is also not expected to happen.

Dr Oliver Doubleday, chairman of the board of trustees of the trust, said: “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Brogdale Farm and we look forward to playing our part in maintaining the home of this nationally important collection, which fits perfectly with our charitable objectives.

“The move is consistent with our mission to advance scientific knowledge and innovation in horticulture; fits with our property portfolio; and utilises our existing estate management skills.

“We are committed to preserving and enhancing the unique heritage of Brogdale Farm and its collection, and improving the visitor experience.

“We also have an existing gene bank within the East Malling estate, and there is the potential for collaboration to drive forward future research that will benefit the fruit industry and society as a whole.”

Alan Roe, the chair of Brogdale Collections, added: “We have been extremely fortunate to have had such good relations with the owners of Brogdale Farm, who have been totally supportive of the charity and its ambitions.

“We believe the new owners will continue such a close relationship and share our values, and we are pleased the ownership of Brogdale will be in such good hands.

“We look forward to working with The East Malling Trust to ensure the continued importance of the National Fruit Collection; all the orchards at Brogdale and their rich heritage.”

It is not known how much The East Malling Trust, a charity that champions the advancement of science in horticulture and agriculture, have paid for the farm.

Included in the sale is a two-bedroom home, various converted farm buildings and a 9” gauge railway.

The majority of the farm buildings now host businesses offering retail, hospitality and office space.

The agricultural land is currently rented out to two farming tenants, who harvest top fruit, soft fruit, nuts and nursery crops, as well as recently grubbed orchards laid to grass.

Farmland not dedicated to the National Fruit Collection - which boasts 4,000 varieties of fruit trees - is subject to a yearly lease renewal.

The National Fruit Collection is home to a rich variety of heritage fruit, curated by Reading University on behalf of DEFRA.

Brogdale Farm, which hosts the annual Brogdale Cider Festival, is already home to a number of businesses such as The Courtyard Restaurant, Mad Cat Brewery and the Faversham Miniature Railway, but plans are in the pipeline for 25 extra units.

Proposals were first unveiled in 2020 for new commercial spaces on the site, as well as a day nursery.

However, residents in the area were left unimpressed with the whole scheme, with one neighbour accusing the applicant of “misleading” the public and planning officers.

Ian Friday wrote to Swale Borough Council, saying: “In reality it's a 25-unit large-scale industrial estate and car park with a small nursery added to sugar-coat the application and pull the wool over your eyes.”

George Webb Finn had looked after the farm’s commercial interests for almost 20 years.

Speaking exclusively to KentOnline last year, a spokesperson for the firm said: “There’s an outline planning application for more commercial units on the old reservoir but if it was ever going to go for housing, it would have done so.

“The borough [council] have been fairly clear about the short and medium term; I don’t think there’s any plan to grant any residential development in Brogdale.

“There’s good commercial interest, good rent - an income of £383,000 a year currently - and depending on the buyer there’s potential for commercial and philanthropic pursuits.

“If anyone’s looking at it seriously they’ll be able to dissect the various elements and work out whether or not it’s good value for money, but we feel it is - we’ve been quite conservative with our valuation.”