The site of a former hospital is to be occupied by a law firm.

Cripps Harries Hall will become the anchor tenant at Royal Wells Park, which is being built on the site of the former Kent and Sussex Hospital in Tunbridge Wells.

The firm – which merged with Vertex Law last year – hopes to move from its existing office in the town to the new 45,000sqft office in 2016, accommodating 350 staff on four floors.

Royal Wells Park will also include 190 homes and the first developer-led free school in the country.

Cripps’ senior partner Michael Stevens said: “Our clients and people value our central location in Tunbridge Wells, so we’re extremely pleased to have secured new premises so close to the town centre.

“The offices are being designed to our bespoke requirements, with a high-quality IT infrastructure and the latest working practices in mind so we can continue servicing our clients’ needs as efficiently as possible.

“We’re particularly pleased the local community also benefits from the new housing and educational facilities that are a part of this sustainable development.”

Building work at Royal Wells Park began last year. It is being developed by Berkeley Homes.

The firm’s Eastern Counties managing director Peter Smith said: “Royal Wells Park is promising to become a key feature of the area, providing much needed housing, a free school and commercial space.

“We’re therefore delighted that a well-respected company such as Cripps has decided to occupy the office space and benefit from the development’s ideal location within Royal Tunbridge Wells – close to the train station and the town centre.”

The project is the largest redevelopment project in the centre of Tunbridge Wells since the opening of Royal Victoria Place more than 20 years ago.

Cripps also has offices in Kings Hill, Sandwich and London.