But delays in securing planning permission for the 42 new homes appear to have scuppered the deal.

Preston Parish Council chairman Tommy Gale says he is “frustrated and disappointed” because a huge amount of time, effort and optimism had gone into the negotiations with the garden centre owner.

The parish previously revealed its ambition to create some of the best facilities of any village with the generous space available, which could eventually accommodate a new sports hall.

Councillors were hopeful it would provide a “fantastic outcome” for residents, re-purposing a familiar site into a much-needed new hall and meeting space.

“We had negotiated honestly and openly throughout, based on what we believed to be a mutual understanding,” Cllr Gale said

“Unfortunately, despite reaching an agreement in principle, he has now chosen, for whatever reason, to step back from the deal.

“This is, of course, his right, although extremely disappointing given the time, goodwill, and voluntary effort invested by the council to move things forward in good faith.”

Cllr Gale admits the situation was complex, with most of the capital being tied up in the Six Acres site and dependent upon the planning processes to secure its release.

“But we had structured a deal that would have enabled the parish to lease the site in the interim period,” he said. “Nonetheless, the vendor - themselves familiar with planning timescales - ultimately chose to withdraw.”

Site owner John Rodgers, who runs Torran Construction, says two agreed target dates had already been missed by the parish council.

“They had suggested a revised rental date of August 1 and offered a ‘possible’ purchase of half of the asking price by the end of the year. This, however, would be subject to planning and could slip again,” he told KentOnline.

“The parish did offer to ‘rent’ in the meantime on the condition that we took the property off the market and agreed, in the lease, that we would wait for them to have the funds available.

“When I said I was not prepared to enter into a lease on this basis, they withdrew their interest.

“If the council had been in the position to buy within the timescale discussed/agreed then we would have been happy to sell it to them.

“The garden centre remains on the market while we consider our options.”

Cllr Gale says the council remains open to discussions if the site owner reconsiders, but will now revive its original plan to redevelop its existing village hall site.

“At our latest parish council meeting, we unanimously agreed to refocus on our original plan - delivering a new purpose-built community hall at the recreation ground. This remains a viable and exciting opportunity,” he said.

He also says the recent increase in the parish precept to help fund the garden centre project may now be re-funded through future reduced charges.

Alternatively, some of it may be used in the short term to support the development of a multi-purpose games area at the recreation ground.