The owners of an historic farm complex have ambitious plans to market it as a luxury wedding venue.

The Stephenson family, who own Great Budd House in Mote Road, Shipbourne, have applied to Tonbridge and Malling council for a change of use that would allow a threshing barn on the site to be used for marriage ceremonies and other events.

They have already obtained planning permission to convert a twin-roundel oast house on the site to provide 10 holiday apartments, to be used by wedding guests.

The barn is Grade-II listed and the whole of the 14-acre site lies within the greenbelt and within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as well as being in the Budds Green Shipbourne Conservation Area.

The application for a change of use can be viewed here, reference number 23/00402.

The owners say there will be no change in the external view of the barn.

They have already set up a website marketing Great Budd as a wedding venue which states: "We are currently in the process of completing a series of extensive renovations that will transform Great Budds House into a luxurious countryside retreat, with the barn available to host exclusive events and weddings. "

The barn is being advertised as being capable of taking 90 guests for a wedding breakfast and 130 at an evening reception.

The website says the oast house accommodation will be available from April, and the barn will be available for weddings from "April/May."

Great Budds was last on sale in April 2021, when it was being marketed at guide price of £3.5m.