The ghost of Hollywood A-lister Marlon Brando is threatening to return and haunt developers hoping to build an industrial cold store in countryside outside Faversham.

Bosses at produce company F.W. Mansfield and Son, based in Chartham, want to store strawberries and cherries in a steel-framed building at Owens Court Farm in Selling.

But campaigners fighting against the proposal say the planned location is “completely the wrong place” – and that screen star Brando, of Godfather fame as Vito Corleone, would be the first to oppose it from beyond the grave.

The American Oscar-winning actor visited the area in Selling in his later life and enjoyed walking around the countryside with his family and friends.

Belinda Frixou, who lives near the proposed development in Owens Court Road, represented Brando as his lawyer before he died in 2004.

The mother-of-one said: “I represented Marlon Brando for over 30 years as his lawyer and he visited the area many times.

“He loved the lane and this part of Kent. He treasured its natural beauty and peacefulness. A few days before he died he told me he wished he could visit Kent one more time.

“This is the wrong place for this sort of development and will be to the detriment of the local countryside, residents and the many visitors who come here to enjoy the peace and beauty of the area.

“Owens Court Lane is a quiet country lane and has been so for many centuries.

"It’s completely the wrong place for a major cold storage and distribution depot of this nature.”

F.W. Mansfield and Son had previously applied for permission in 2010 but campaigners claimed victory when the application was fended off after a significant number of objections were received.

Now Mrs Frixou’s son Christian hopes the application can be stopped again.

He and his mother fear HGVs using Owens Court Lane to access the proposed store would create pollution and traffic issues.

Mr Frixou, who is Brando’s godson, said: “I am deeply concerned about the proposed transformation of such a quiet and idyllic part of our countryside.

“In addition to Hollywood film stars, the area has always been very popular with local and visiting cyclists and walkers.

“I appreciate that some are hoping that it will bring new employment opportunities to the area, but I am rather sceptical about the quality of jobs that will be provided.

"I doubt that they will be offered to local people or that they will justify the environmental cost.

“I firmly believe we should stand against any agenda which seeks to place corporate interests over and above environmental and social interests, and I know that this is something Marlon was very passionate about indeed.”

Petra Bensted wrote to the Faversham News: “The parish council are unanimous in their strong condemnation of the plan.

“Because it is a notice of prior approval, the usual notifications have not been given, so very few people will be aware of the situation.”

A spokesman from F.W. Mansfield and Son declined to comment as the application was going through the planning process with Swale council.