Plans to build dozens of homes next to a 1,000 year old nunnery have been thrown out.

Nuns threatened to move out of St Mary's Abbey in West Malling if Bellway's proposals were approved.

The housing developer had originally proposed building 80 homes next to Lavenders Road and Swan Street, but the total figure dropped to 65 by the time a planning inquiry was held in August.

Dozens of locals include the Mother Abbess herself Mother Mary David, spoke at the meeting to say the development could harm the tranquility of the area.

When asked if the group of 12 nuns could leave the 10th century abbey, Mother Mary said: “Yes. We do occasionally wonder whether we ought to leave.

"If the noise and the general busyness prevents us from living our life and prevents the guests from having quietness and spaciousness we would think about it."

But a potential exodus has been halted after the Planning Inspectorate decided to dismiss Bellway's appeal today.

Speaking today, Mother Mary said: "We are delighted with the outcome of the public inquiry into the proposed development at Lavenders Road and Swan Street. We are grateful and humbled by the amount of support we have received during this process.

"We would particularly like to thank Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, the local Parish Councils and the Protect West Malling group for their hard work in securing this outcome. We and our guests are now looking forward to continuing our life at the Abbey in the God-centred quiet and peace."

Planning Inspector Frances Mahoney visited the abbey grounds at the end of the inquiry.

Publishing her findings today Ms Mahoney said: "My experience of the area was of moments of tranquillity, but of an enjoyment and appreciation of being out in pleasant gardens, serenaded by bird song and the wind in the trees, but with the hum of the distant traffic on the A228, and other local road noise as cars passed along both Lavenders Road and Swan Street, the distant rush of the trains and the familiar sound of overhead aircraft."

A dozen nuns live in the grounds after Benedictine Nuns returned to the Abbey at the start of the 20th century.

'This is a victory for our community, the sisters, and all those who contributed to the fundraising effort' - Tom Tugendhat

Sisters are buried in the abbey grounds, as are close family members.

West Malling Parish Council dipped into its reserves and had public donations to put up a legal fight to the development, while Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council was also opposed.

Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat said: "I am pleased that the proposal to develop land by St Mary’s Abbey in West Malling has been dismissed. It was clear to anyone who knows West Malling that the impact of housing here on St Mary’s Abbey would have been significant.

"Having called the application into the Government, they have confirmed to me that they also agree with the Inspectors decision. This will no doubt be a relief to all concerned.

"This is a victory for our community, the sisters, and all those who contributed to the fundraising effort to support Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council in their objection to this proposal.”

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