Plans to demolish a block of old science labs and replace them with 11 family homes have been rejected over fears of cramping nearby houses.

The buildings which were part of Wye College near Ashford have sat abandoned since 2009, with applicant Tele Property Investments now regenerating the site, on the corner of the High Street and Olantigh Road.

To the south of the laboratories is the main 15th-century school building, which is currently being converted into 38 homes by the same developer.

However, officers at Ashford Borough Council (ABC) have rejected the latest proposals for 11 homes, which would have gone directly behind the large project, arguing it would have cramped several of the properties and provided future occupiers with "unacceptably small amenity spaces".

They added that the development could have led to wastewater from the homes increasing nitrogen and phosphorus levels at Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve, near Canterbury - an area of nationally and internationally important wildlife sites.

In excess, nitrogen and phosphorus can impact the richness and pollute lakes.

ABC leader Cllr Noel Ovenden believes rejecting the plans was the correct decision.

The Ashford Independents' representative for Wye with Hinxhill ward explained: “Controlled growth of the village is always a good thing - if you don’t develop then you don’t get the support you need for local services.

"But I think they weren’t what was most appropriate for the site. They were crammed on there.

“Some parking would have been taken away from Olantigh Road, so there was a lot to dislike about it."

The rejected scheme was for seven four-bedroom properties as well as three five-bedroom and one three-bed.

Some 36 parking and 22 cycle spaces would have also been included.

Tele Property Investments said the project would provide “larger family homes on generous plots, for which there is a significant demand".

The long-running development of the Wye College site has been met with controversy.

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

Plans were originally lodged for the main building in 2017 and eventually approved, with 38 homes expected to be finished this summer, as well as 12 opposite on High Street.

However a further two planning applications totalling 60 homes are yet to be decided on – with 40 based on land around the college and 20 for the former ADAS offices further along Olantigh Road.

A public inquiry was held into all three proposals following an appeal from the developers at the beginning of 2021, with the planning inspectorate deciding to allow the college building's redevelopment but quashing the other two.

Both updated plans were appealed in 2022, and are still awaiting a decision.

KentOnline has asked Tele Property Investments whether it intends to appeal the decision or amend its plans for the rejected Russell labs building.