The site of an abandoned barn and former cottage could be turned into a "beautiful" development of new properties.

Ashford Borough Council is proposing a total of 14 "genuinely affordable" homes for a small piece of land in Kennington.

The proposed site at the junction of Tile Kiln Road and Towers View currently houses a barn - and once included a cottage and outhouse which have already been demolished.

The barn would be demolished, with the surrounding land providing enough space for the "much-needed" affordable homes as well as 24 parking spaces.

To the north west of the site there are houses and a garage block, and to the south west there are houses and a convenience store and takeaway.

It is close to Towers School in Faversham Road, as well as a Post Office.

The proposal is for 14 homes consisting of four accessible and adaptable one-bedroom bungalows, five two-bed houses and five three-bed houses, one of which will be fully wheelchair accessible.

They are intended to be allocated to people on the council's waiting list needing "social and affordable rental homes".

A council spokesman added: "We will aim to set affordable rent levels on these homes that are around 60-80% of market rent levels in the area.

"This is to ensure the homes are genuinely affordable to those housed in them. These levels will be within the Local Housing Allowance.

Cllr Andrew Buchanan, council portfolio holder for housing, said that subject to obtaining planning permission, work would begin on site within a year and that the build time will be around a year.

“There are around 1,500 people on our waiting list for affordable housing, with people waiting for both general needs accommodation as well as adapted homes," he added.

"Like every other authority in the country, we must do our bit to try and alleviate the housing issues that we face."

Ward member Cllr Winston Michael (Ind) said: “Having originally alerted the council to the plot coming onto the market, I have worked closely with the housing team to shape a beautiful development of housing that will still look good for many years to come.

"I am proud of the collaborative work that has gone into creating a scheme that promises much-needed homes for the local community.”