Land which was once part of an historic deer park could be turned into homes for older people.

Retirement home developer McCarthy Stone has submitted an application for an elderly living complex at the Royal British Legion (RBL) Village of St Andrew’s Close, near Preston Hall in Aylesford.

The plot is just north of the A20 London Road, close to the junction with Hermitage Lane.

The application proposes a three-storey building, with 50 retirement apartments to include 27 one-bed and 23 two-bed.

It also proposes 38 car parking spaces, including four accessible bays, as well as communal facilities and a landscaped garden.

The planning statement says the development, if approved and fully occupied, is likely to accommodate around 50-70 residents.

The site is currently managed grassland, having been part of the historic deer park of Preston Hall.

According to the heritage statement, the parkland is not included on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest and it is not in or near a conservation area.

In the planning statement, prepared by DHA planning on behalf of the applicant, it says the communal facilities will include a residents’ lounge, guest suite, refuse room, mobility scooter store and house manager’s office.

The company said: “The proposed development of this sustainable site represents a carefully considered scheme that is in accordance with local and national policy.

“It provides an acceptable use for this site and will bring forward positive social, economic, environmental and community benefits and should therefore be supported.”

So far the application, which was registered on May 9, has had one objection from a person who says the increase in traffic as a result of the development will cause “untold misery and suffering”.

The anonymous resident, of The Avenue, said: “I have lived in Aylesford for many years, and we are losing green space and open areas constantly to housing developments.

“I fully understand that there is a need for supported living accommodation and that the RBL does fantastic work but to lose such an amazing green space with such an array of old oak trees will be heartbreaking.

“The building of the establishment will also increase traffic on such a small access road will make a considerable impact on residents and cause them untold misery and suffering.”

During the initial consultation in March and April, one resident also shared his dissatisfaction with the proposal.

Keith Taylor said: “This is a natural area of beauty and wildlife diversity will be lost.

“Some of the trees are hundreds of years old combatting CO2 emissions by creating oxygen. It’s a wonderful area where many people exercise their dogs.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you at the Public Notice Portal.

Details can be viewed on McCarthy Stone’s website.

As of November 2021, McCarthy & Stone Retirement Lifestyles Ltd operates 475 retirement developments across the UK and their retirement properties are homes to more than 20,000 people.