Bosses at Britain’s oldest brewery say an 85-home estate which could be built on its land “will provide much-needed housing”.

Faversham-based Shepherd Neame owns farmland in Ospringe, on the edge of the market town, which is being eyed up by developers.

As well as the new-builds on the plot to the rear of the Chapel Car Sales garage on the A2, the scheme includes provision for a play area and a 46-space car park for Ospringe Primary School.

Shepherd Neame’s director of professional property services, John Barnes, told KentOnline that 40% of the homes will be “affordable”.

“We believe these homes will provide much-needed housing for local people while helping address local community needs,” he said.

Mr Barnes declined to say how much money the company will make from the deal, or how the project is being funded.

A planning statement says the scheme has been significantly scaled back since early pre-application discussions.

Initial proposals in 2020 were for 153 homes. This was later reduced to 138 before being cut again to 85 after heritage and landscape feedback.

The feedback also led to all development south of the allotments being removed, and to the access from Water Lane being scrapped to protect the setting of nearby listed buildings.

Instead, a new entrance off the A2 will be created to serve the estate.

The land falls just outside the Ospringe/Faversham conservation zone. It neighbours Syndale Park – an area of high-value landscape – and listed buildings at Queen Court Farm.

The title of deeds indicates Shepherd Neame gained ownership of the land in 2008.

In 2019, the brewer struck a deal with developers Appin, which meant it could not sell, transfer or mortgage the land without Appin’s permission.

Appin bosses said: “The council accepts that the site borders Faversham town and is close to Faversham town centre in which a full range of everyday services and facilities is available. There are public transport options as well as a range of employment opportunities.

“The proposals would not affect the public’s ability to access or enjoy the wider landscape setting of Ospringe.

“Nor would the proposals affect views of the parkland landscape of Syndale Park or views out from the footpath which crosses the park.

“The proposal would not result in harm to a degree that would demonstrably outweigh the multiple economic, social and environmental benefits.”

Multiple large housing planning applications have been lodged in Faversham in recent years.

The majority of these are from the Duchy of Cornwall’s 2,500-home project and, further afield, 1,815 properties at Winterbourne Fields at Dunkirk, just off the A2 between Faversham and Canterbury.

Last week, Persimmon Homes unveiled plans for 250 houses in Brogdale Road.

Hundreds more have already been approved – such as 70 additional houses at Faversham Lakes and a further 438 at Lady Dane Farm by two different developers.

The 250-home Ham Farm estate, which was approved earlier this year, is facing a legal challenge from the town council.

Find out more about planning applications where you live by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

Faversham Town Council is keen to see building take place on brownfield sites across the town, having introduced a neighbourhood plan which promises 200 homes in the town centre by 2038.

Last year, SBC suggested Faversham could shoulder the bulk of new housing across the district, prompting accusations the town was being “sacrificed” to meet government targets.