Plans for holiday rentals and a nursery at a renowned Kent fruit farm were turned down due to urbanization and road safety worries.
People worried about the countryside looking too urban. The farm spans 146 acres and is near Faversham’s edge. Councillors rejected the big project then.
East Malling Trust bought the farm last year for millions. The Trust helps science in farming.
Brogdale Farm already has the fruit collection, which is government-owned. It has old, rare fruits. You can also find orchards and businesses there.
The owners wanted more work units earlier, which would replace old greenhouses. The new owners changed the plan. The new plan asked for fewer units. It also included a nursery and rentals, specifically five holiday apartments.
The council was to decide in December but delayed it for a visit. They decided on February 6, with officers suggesting approval.
Grace Clements spoke for the developers, stating that the Trust wanted a mix of workshops and rentals, along with a nursery. They felt this would help existing businesses. The Trust asked for 18 workshops or business spaces, a nursery with play space, and five rentals, each with two bedrooms.
Council members were not happy, despite the positive recommendation. One councillor liked Brogdale’s spirit, connecting it to fruit and farming heritage. He said that is not a suburban area. He thought they need housing actually.
Other councillors worried about road access, with one calling it “a deathtrap.” Another noted speeding problems there. Another asked if they truly need rentals and was not convinced about the workshops.
Another visited the site and said it looked awful. She wanted it cleaned and used as a nursery, stating that the greenhouses could be fixed easily.
The plan was rejected. The council cited road safety issues, car dependency, and farmland urbanization.
A neighbor, Julian Herrington, was happy with the decision and thought councillors showed good sense. He wanted the farm for rural jobs only, not an industrial park, and supported the farm, barring crazy ideas.
The East Malling Trust declined to comment.