Developer Dandara has purchased land in East Malling with permission to build 110 new homes on the edge of the village.

It acquired a 16-acre plot from the East Malling Trust - a charity which support horticultural and plant-based research from its 500-acre site.

The trust is using the sale to help co-fund the delivery of the first phase of its campus redevelopment, including a state-of-the-art facilities building and glasshouses. It is hoped it will help expand the area’s reputation for world-class research into fruit trees and soft fruit growing.

The housing development, to be called The Sweetings, will range from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom house.

Rupert Home, development director at Dandara South East, said: “The acquisition of this site will result in significant re-investment in the East Malling horticultural and agricultural research centre, whilst its development will create local economic activity, provide jobs and deliver essential private and affordable housing.”

Oliver Doubleday, chairman of East Malling Trust, added: “We were impressed with Dandara’s vision for the residential development which reflects the local area’s architecture and landscape, and aligns with our commitment to be a good neighbour to residents in East Malling and Ditton.

"The revenue generated from the sale of the land, which is no longer required for field trials, will help continue protect and develop more than a century of world-class scientific research undertaken here in Kent.”

The acquisition of this site will result in significant re-investment in the East Malling horticultural and agricultural research centre

Mature trees and historic hedges on the land will be retained, with a new pond and children's play site part of the development.

A quarter of the new homes will be affordable housing, with 70% of those being available for affordable rent and the rest for purchase using shared ownership.

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