A conservation charity has called the approval of plans for a huge bike factory a “dark day for nature”.

Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) has slammed Ashford Borough Council’s (ABC) decision to allow Brompton Bicycle’s bid for a new base near the Designer Outlet.

The project, which was approved at a planning meeting on Wednesday, will be built on South Willesborough Dykes off A2042 Romney Marsh Road despite concerns over the impact it will have on the area.

Brompton says it will create a new wetland habitat as part of the £100m development, but KWT says it cannot compensate for the loss of an “irreplaceable natural corridor” which serves as a “critical haven for a diverse array of wildlife”.

The approval comes just weeks after the London-based company’s profits plummeted by more than 99%, sparking concerns over the future of the project.

KWT planning and policy officer Emma Waller said: “It’s a dark day for nature as ABC approved plans for a bike factory on the precious South Willesborough Dykes wildlife site.

“This wetland habitat, a vital part of the Ashford Green Corridor, is home to dormice, great-crested newts, seven bat species, 32 breeding bird species, and 92 aquatic invertebrate species - it's an ecological treasure now facing severe and irreversible harm.

“The voice of conservationists and the plight of wildlife were disregarded in favour of a development celebrated for job creation, even though the company behind it faces well-documented financial instability.

“Once again, nature has been sidelined, losing even the small spaces set aside for it in favour of human interests.

“This decision is not just disappointing - it’s a stark reminder of the ongoing battle for the future of our natural world.

“We will not stand idly by. We will continue to fight for wildlife, amplify its silent voice, and hold decision-makers accountable. If we don’t, who will?”

Brompton first announced the plans three years ago, officially submitting the application alongside Hollaway Studio architects and Quinn Estates.

Approval for the new HQ was described by the company’s boss as a “phenomenal milestone”, but work is not scheduled to start for two years.

Chief executive Will Butler-Adams says the business needs time to be in a stronger financial position after “investing through the downturn” for the industry.

Council officers recommended the committee approve the plans but described it as “finely balanced” due to its place in a floodplain, with the site set to be on stilts to compensate for this.

But bosses say this will create opportunities for new wetland habitats beneath, and its hydrological reports suggest the area can handle any expected flooding.

The bid for a new HQ also came under fire for its controversial parking plan, with only 30 spaces proposed.

Instead, staff will be expected to use overflow parking at the Outlet and Ashford International Station.

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However, council planning chiefs insisted Brompton’s research demonstrated there would be enough parking capacity in the surrounding area.

Despite the ecological concerns, officers at Wednesday’s ABC planning meeting stressed the “significant economic benefits” of the plans, including “a large number of highly skilled jobs in research and development (R&D) within this end-to-end production facility”.

The factory is expected to deliver 2,500 jobs, and an apprenticeship scheme will be run there as part of the firm’s legal agreement with the council.

Brompton Bicycle has been approached for comment.