Ambitious plans that will see luxury new homes, a rocking horse museum and workshop, cafe, and farm shop built on disused land have been given the green light.

The two-pronged scheme came from the Stevenson Brothers, a Kent-based firm which has been making rocking horses since 1982, with customers including the late Queen Elizabeth II and Sir Paul McCartney.

Two years ago, the company revealed plans to leave its current home in Bethersden, near Tenterden, and open a new base of operations three miles away in High Halden.

Two planning applications were submitted to Ashford Borough Council (ABC), with designs for both developments coming from Hythe-based architects Hollaway.

The first was to demolish their landmark workshop along Ashford Road, Bethersden, and in its place create nine new flats.

At the same time, a second application was submitted for a former petrol garage, also off Ashford Road, in High Halden, alongside Linden Farms.

Here, five five-bed and 17 four-bed homes will be built, along with a rocking horse museum and workshop, farm shop and cafe.

The bid was designed to help brothers Marc and Tony Stevenson “upgrade and modernise” their business while also allowing “members of the public to engage in the creative process of these world-renowned rocking horses”.

And the proposal was praised at ABC’s latest planning committee, with councillors describing it as “exciting”.

Ward councillor Alan Pickering (Con) said: “When I took over as chairman of High Halden Parish Council, we were the 17th poorest village in Kent.

“I welcomed all new developments in the village, so we have now grown by 30% and transformed into a thriving community.

“The proposed area is not at all attractive and needs tidying up, and the new development will provide us with the opportunity.

“What is very exciting about this proposal is that it will further upscaled High Halden with a wonderful international business of standing, and its concept is very innovative.

“I consider this development as hopefully the last for many years in the village, and I support this application.”

New conditions were added to the scheme to address councillors' concerns about protecting the dark skies in the area. Working-hour restrictions were also added to prevent current neighbours from being impacted by external noise.

Stevenson Brothers moved to Bethersden in 1983, after a short spell at Finn Farm in Kingsnorth.

This site will be demolished to make way for nine affordable flats – created in two blocks –, meaning that over the two applications 40% affordable housing will be provided.

The building will be a near-identical remake, built with white weatherboard and the same rocking horse top that the current building displays.

Twelve parking spaces will also be provided as part of the scheme.

Concerns were raised over the height of the proposed blocks, but this has been addressed, with the buildings reduced from three-storeys to two and a half.

Speaking at the meeting, architect Guy Hollaway added: “It’s quite a tight site to fit the nine units and the amount of parking required.

“It’s fairly restricted and was a fairly challenging design.

“After a consultation with the community, we reduced the height of the building, and we wanted this build to reflect the current Stevenson’s site that exists at the moment.

“This is an opportunity to renew and place a building of substantially more quality here.”

Ward councillor Jessamy Blanford (Con) also supported the scheme.

She said: “It’s been clear for some time that the Bethersden site has been too constricted for the Stevenson Brothers, and with the business moving out, this has allowed Ashford Borough Council to add some much-needed affordable housing to the village.

“The current building has been altered many times over the years and doesn’t meet the standards to be an asset to the village, but the advantage of having nine affordable homes outweighs any loss.

“This application will not only benefit the Stevenson Brothers but also the residents of High Halden and Bethersden and a much wider audience.”

A condition was also added to consult Bethersden Parish Council, which supported the scheme, on the future occupants of the affordable homes. Priority will be given to those with links to the local area.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal

For the High Halden site, a total of 132 car parking spaces will be preovided.

Councillors unanimously approved both applications.

Speaking after the decision, applicants Marc and Tony Stevenson said: “We’re very pleased that Ashford Borough Council has given us permission on both developments, and we are looking forward to the big move.

“Our thanks go out to Guy Hollaway and everyone who has been a part of the application.”