Plans have been approved for new flats for wounded and sick war veterans.

The green light was given to 24 one and two bedroom homes to the east of Quarry Wood Industrial Estate off Hermitage Lane, Aylesford.

The site is mainly scrubland, although there are some allotments which will be moved to East Park Road. The development is expected to be finished by the end of 2016.

The plans, for two blocks of flats, were put forward by Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) which has received funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Libor Fund.

The organisation says there is an urgent need for accommodation for ex-servicemen and women who are not in need of care, but require specialist facilities.

A statement from Bloomfields Chartered Town Planners, on behalf of the RBLI, said: “Existing accommodation in the Royal British Legion Village, such as that provided in Gavin Astor House and Queen Elizabeth Court, is of a high quality and much appreciated but meets a different need.

“Many individuals, couples and those with small families remain in great need of specialist, non-care related, accommodation.”

The development would be aimed at senior veterans and younger service leavers, with the intention of creating a small sustainable community for ex-forces personnel. It would be close to the Royal British Legion Village where a variety of welfare, health care, employment and other support services are available, as well as 80 houses and bungalows.

The scheme was given permission by an officer from Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, under delegated powers. No objections were received.

The authority’s report said: “This site is quite unusual, in that despite being closed to the Quarry Wood Industrial Estate and the heavily used Hermitage Lane, it remains a relatively tranquil location behind the frontage of bungalow development.

“This location close to several amenities and transport routes would however seem appropriate for relatively small scale accommodation linked to the main RBLI site and its associated community.”