Plans to build 2,000 homes on land owned by the University of Kent would destroy a vast swathe of countryside, campaigners say.

A site to the north of the university’s Canterbury campus has been earmarked for a large estate in the city council’s new draft Local Plan, a blueprint for building in the district until 2040.

And now, the 240-acre plot of grass and woodland, between the villages of Tyler Hill, Blean and Rough Common, has been listed on Rightmove as efforts to attract a developer get underway, despite the Local Plan not yet being approved.

Real estate company Avison Young, which is marketing the site, describes it as an “excellent residential development opportunity”, but this has been fiercely rejected by campaigners, who argue the ambitious scheme would seriously impact life in the area.

Julia Kirby-Smith, from Save the Blean group, says they are aware of the cash-strapped university’s financial woes and are keen to work with the establishment to help find a solution that doesn’t “destroy a vast swathe of countryside and three communities.”

The university is currently moving to make more staff members redundant as they battle to save almost £20 million.

Bosses announced a new round of redundancies in January as they face crippling loan repayments and falling learner numbers.

The campaigner says: “We wouldn’t call it an excellent development opportunity for a couple of reasons.

“As residents, we know the area really well and it's pretty clear to most people looking at it that it's a really conflicted site.

“It's a very hilly, topographically challenging site and means the idea that people would be taking bikes and buses to mitigate the traffic problems is just not going to happen.

“All of the things being put forward as reasons why it's a good place to develop, just many of them don't stack up.”

The land was put forward for potential development by the university and the site is considered viable by Canterbury City Council (CCC) for a “highly sustainable, freestanding settlement” of about 2,000 homes, including a new primary school and a replacement for the existing Blean Primary School.

The authority says it wants to create a “complete, compact and well-connected neighbourhood, where everyday needs can be met within a 15-minute walk or short cycle”.

It is understood the latest Rightmove listing is an attempt to ascertain whether developers are interested in the site, but it will not be sold any time soon.

Offers are invited for the freehold interest, via an informal tender process.

Trevor Pereira, commercial and facilities director at the University of Kent says any development would be completed sustainably and responsibly.

He went on: “By freeing up underused land to north of our campus, the University of Kent can support Canterbury City Council’s district Local Plan by providing space for additional and urgently required housing.

“Any future development would be done sustainably and responsibly, with full consideration given to striking the balance between net biodiversity gain and infrastructural improvements.”

The new Local Plan has several hurdles to pass before being approved. The publication of CCC’s final draft will be published in autumn 2025 for the approval by councillors, with the launch of a six-week public consultation also taking place.

Then, in spring 2026, the document is expected to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for determination.