A petition calling on the government to overturn plans to convert a historic 15th century college into homes has been launched by villagers.

Thirteen houses, 28 flats and about 90 car parking spaces are planned for the site of the former Wye College, after Ashford Borough Council (ABC) approved the scheme last year.

So far, more than 400 people have signed a petition to 'save Wye's heritage from housing developers' on Change.org

ABC's planning committee granted consent alongside a comprehensive list of 38 conditions that developers Telereal Trillium must follow.

It centres on sensitive restoration and demolition and continuous consultation with the council.

But villagers have scrutinised the plans and say a viable community asset will be lost if the listed buildings are developed.

Long-term residents in Wye and college alumni formed the Wye College Regeneration Action Group last summer and have since written to the secretary of state for arts, heritage and tourism asking for the government to halt the plans.

In a letter to MP Rebecca Pow, the action group said: "After five centuries as an integral part of village life, the historic buildings of Wye College are in imminent danger of being converted into an exclusive housing development.

"These historic buildings, positioned at the very heart of Wye, will be divided-up and closed. The atmosphere and vitality created by the college and its role in the village will be lost.

"The oldest buildings date back to the 15th century and are Grade 1 listed. They are nationally recognised to be of historic importance and architectural significance. Once converted these remarkable buildings will lose their character and will only be used by private residents."

Now, the action group is asking for the ownership of the Grade-I listed buildings to be transferred to the village community, so it can be used as a heritage visitor centre, village archive, events space, accommodation and offices for societies and businesses.

"This is a travesty. It is outrageous to think that the benefits of a handful of residential dwellings in the historic buildings can outweigh the significance of Wye’s heritage", they added.

"We propose to renovate the Grade 1 listed buildings as a viable community asset as this would reaffirm the role of the historic buildings as an integral part of village life, providing a focal point for community, employment and tourism."

Former owners Imperial College London had put forward plans for a new £1 billion science park and thousands of homes, but faced strong local opposition.

The plans were abandoned in 2006, and Imperial faced further setbacks in 2010 and 2012 when its plans to redevelop Withersdane Hall and knock down the Wolfson Lecture Theatre were scrapped.

In 2015 Telereal Trillium completed purchase of the site and now it has two years to begin the overhaul.

"It is outrageous to think that the benefits of a handful of residential dwellings in the historic buildings can outweigh the significance of Wye’s heritage"...Wye College Regeneration Action Group

A spokesperson for Telereal Trillium said: “Finding a long term sustainable use for these buildings of national importance has been one of our top priorities since buying the campus in 2015.

"In order to make sure the buildings are looked after in the long term, we have to make sure there is a viable use that will support the significant cost of sensitively refurbishing them, including the removal of asbestos and other deleterious materials.

“We worked closely with the government’s heritage body, Historic England, and Ashford Borough Council’s conservation officers to produce this proposal, which they support and which respects the Wye Neighbourhood Plan.

"The proposal includes significant public access, including to the Old Hall, the Lecture Theatre, the Chapel and the staircase with the Ancient Britons statues reinstated.

"A new home will also be provided to the Wye Heritage Centre at a peppercorn rent. All this will be made possible by the conversion to new homes. The group promoting this petition have made no effort to contact us to discuss the proposals.”

Click here to view the petition.

Next week, another development in the village is set to be reviewed by the council's planning committee after plans were submitted for office space, a coffee shop and two homes at Sidelands Farm in Little Olantigh Road.

A decision will be made on the development - which involves demolition of existing buildings - at a council meeting on Wednesday, September 4.

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