An Italian university has been given the go-ahead to move into a village despite parish council reservations.

Withersdane Hall in Wye outside Ashford was previously a Wye College campus, but will now be taken over by the University of Niccolò Cusano Studies following Ashford Borough Council approval.

The European educational institute - founded in 2006 - first staked its interest in the site in June, when it applied for a variation on the hall’s permitted use after snapping up the £3m site.

Its last role as an addiction rehabilitation centre barred three of its buildings from being used for educational purposes, but this obstacle has now been removed.

The university notes that, of the approximately 250 students moving in, “the vast majority will be from Italy or France”.

A mix of courses will be provided, with the planning assessment stating: “Students will remain on site for prolonged periods.

“Those taking part in short courses can expect to be on site for one to two weeks, while those on long courses can be on site for the duration of the terms which runs from January to September, annually.”

However Wye Parish Council, while welcoming the plan in principle, says it “was forced to object” until clarification was provided on drainage and increased traffic.

The group’s clerk said: “We welcome in principle the return of tertiary education to Wye, after a gap of well over 10 years.

“Councillors have already had a friendly and productive meeting with directors and representatives of the new Italian owner and developer, the University of Niccolò Cusano Studies.

“However, the issues of traffic and drainage are real challenges for the village, and the Withersdane application must be taken in context with other potential developments in Wye.

“It is not yet clear what extra traffic will be generated, as the parish council understands from the meeting last month with the directors that their education plans are still in development.

“Further, we fear the waste from upgraded bathroom and kitchen facilities for the students will impact on the already overloaded main sewer which runs down Bridge Street.

“Last year, when Withersdane Hall was completely unoccupied, untreated sewage surcharged from manholes at the junction of Bridge Street and Churchfield Way.

“The heavily contaminated water flooded the roads and pavements, with much of it entering people’s homes and the river.”

The parish council has asked for a further meeting with the applicant.

The University of Niccolò Cusano Studies was founded in Rome in 2006 and owns the Serie B football team Ternana Calcio.

Its only current British campus is the NCI University in London, situated on the Isle of Dogs.

In a statement, bosses seeked to calm fears of an increase in road traffic to the site, saying it will be similar to that of the previous clinic.

It said: “The proposed use of the site by the university, which accommodates approximately 250 pupils at any one time, will be similar to the former use as a clinic.

“While students will not be confined to the site, the vast majority will be from Italy or France, who will arrive by train/public transport.

“Local journeys, for example into the heart of the village Wye, will be undertaken by foot.

“All facilities of education, living and eating will be provided on site.

“Due to the nature of the operation there would not be any significant comings and goings, and much less so than was the case when last in educational use.

“A total of 20 staff are expected, a quarter of which will reside on site, with the remainder travelling in.

“The site accommodates in excess of 80 car spaces, and 100 cycle spaces which are more than enough for the daily use needs of the university.”

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