VILLAGERS in Borough Green and Platt have been offered new hope that their long-awaited bypass may at last become a reality.

A plan for the bypass has been submitted to Kent County Council as part of H+H Celcon Ltd's proposal to double the size of its concrete block-making plant, in Borough Green Road, Ightham.

The company says it is prepared to pay for the £3million scheme to compensate for the increase in traffic.

The plant would be expanded on Green Belt land, which means that the Secretary of State will have the final say on the application. The bypass, also on Green Belt land, already has planning permission but is not a priority in KCC's spending plans.

If given the go-ahead, the plant expansion would not only enable the bypass to be built but also create about 70 jobs.

Cllr Mike Taylor, a member of the Borough Green Traffic Action Group and Borough Green Parish Council, said: "It's the only way to get the bypass. KCC can't afford to fund it so this is the only chance."