Work has finally begun on a controversial housing scheme at a 15th century former college.

Residents have been left divided as developer Telereal prepares to develop a total of 38 homes at the former Wye College site near Ashford.

The approved plans, first proposed in 2017, will see the conversion of part of the former college into 38 homes through restoration and alterations.

A letter to residents from Whitstable-based builders Red Key Construction Management states the project is expected to finish in “late 2024”.

Some neighbours in the area are happy to see action on the site after more than a decade of inactivity, while others harbour doubts.

Resident Dorothy Chambers says it is “fantastic” to see work finally start on the project.

“The site has lain derelict for 10 years and has been such a sad sight to have to see,” she said.

“I have been here for 63 years and I used to see all of the students walking by – I think it’s a shame that they stopped using it for further education but beyond that – great, let’s get it done and get that area used again.

“I know there have been complaints about the hoarding but it’s health and safety – they don’t want people getting hurt, or young people climbing on the scaffolding when it goes up.

“The only thing is the parking.

“Now we have a school down the road it is always busy at drop off and pick up, and this will make it worse.

“Someone will have to address that.”

A further two planning applications totalling a further 60 homes are yet to be decided on – with 40 based on land around the college and 20 for the former ADAS offices further along Olantigh Road.

A public inquiry had been held into all three proposals following an appeal from the developers at the beginning of 2021, with the planning inspectorate deciding to allow the college building's redevelopment but quashing the other two.

Though the land was agreed as a good development site in principle – and that it wouldn't seriously affect the area of outstanding natural beauty – the report raised concerns over the scheme's impact on the Stodmarsh Nature Reserve near Canterbury.

However, it was noted at the time that the planning inspector had agreed 'on principle' with both refused plans, with councillors believing that this made future development inevitable.

Both secondary plans were appealed last year, and are still awaiting a decision.

One Olantigh Road resident described the fate of the college as a “real shame”, and expressed frustration at the appeal process.

“Now that [the first stage] is decided, it’s good to get the work going and I have no issue with the hoardings, but I think it’s a shame that so much of the lovely old buildings will be taken down,” she said.

“The development was only allowed on appeal, and that was with the caveat that the other two stages would not be allowed – but now those are being appealed separately.

“It feels like the only planning decision that is ever permanent is one that goes in favour of the developers.”