The future of a village post office and store remains uncertain after plans were approved for housing.

Maidstone council has given Fernham Homes permission to develop Haven Farm, off North Road, in Sutton Valence, with 110 homes, provided it also makes provision for a medical centre.

The site is currently home to Haven Farm Shop and Sutton Valence Post Office, run by Derek Eagle.

His business will have to move when the development gets under way.

He said: “At the moment I still don’t know what is going to happen.

“I was originally told I would have to quit the site last January, then by September, but that date passed when the planning permission was delayed.

“Fernham Homes has spoken of rehousing the business in a modular unit – either at another location on the farm, or possibly in the car park of the village hall, which is opposite.

“Not everyone is in favour of it going to the village hall.

“I’m just hanging on and waiting to see what happens.”

Mr Eagle, who is also a Maidstone borough councillor for the Green party, has run the shop for the past eight years, but at 66, he is likely to retire when the shop next moves.

However, he is concerned that the village should not be left without a Post Office.

In March this year, he launched an online petition calling for a new home for the Post Office to be found.

It re-located to its present site off North Street when the previous village centre branch in Broad Street closed.

The premises are leased from Haven Farm.

The nearest alternative post office is at Kingswood, three miles away, with others in Park Wood, Boughton Monchelsea and Headcorn.

Mr Eagle's farm shop also sells food, locally sourced vegetables, sweets and drinks.

Sean Ellis, the managing director of Fernham Homes said: “We are currently in discussion with Sutton Valence Parish Council, those responsible for Sutton Valence village hall, and the postmaster to provide a temporary post office during the course of the construction works.

“As part of the development, Fernham Homes will be providing a shop unit, within which a post office could be accommodated.

“The legal agreement being prepared between Fernham Homes and Maidstone Borough Council, following the resolution to grant planning permission by the council, will require the future operator of the shop to use their best endeavours to accommodate a post office.”