The future of the popular Kent Life farm attraction looks to be in safe hands after the local council announced a new company will take over the running of the site.

Continuum Attractions, which has run the Lock Lane venue since 2008, announced yesterday its contract will end after Monday, November 30.

But this morning Maidstone Borough Council said it has appointed Planning Solutions Ltd to take over.

It added no staff are at risk and the attraction will continue to operate as normal, with all wedding bookings, and annual passes honoured.

Planning Solutions work at a number of attractions across the country, including the Somerset Rural Life Museum and Conkers activity centre in the National Forest.

"During the recent tender process, Maidstone Borough Council outlined new conditions in exchange for a concession to operate which Continuum Attractions found restrictive to its proposal." — Continuum Attractions

Michael Strickland, managing director of Planning Solutions, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been successful in winning the contract to operate Kent Life, and am looking forward to investing in and developing the site to provide a fantastic experience for our visitors. We will, of course, honour all wedding bookings and annual passes.”

A spokesman for Continuum Attractions, which runs seven attractions across the UK including The Canterbury Tales and Coronation Street The Tour, said it found new conditions imposed by Maidstone council following a recent tender process to be too restricting.

She added: "In 2008 Continuum Attractions took on the Museum of Kent Life, which faced an uncertain future, and created the award-winning Kent Life Heritage Farm Park.

"During the recent tender process, Maidstone Borough Council outlined new conditions in exchange for a concession to operate which Continuum Attractions found restrictive to its proposal. It is therefore with regret that Continuum Attractions announces it will withdraw from operating Kent Life Heritage Farm Park from the end of November 2015.

"Continuum is committed to supporting its team at Kent Life at this time to ensure a smooth transition to their new employer."

A spokesman for MBC said: “The contract for the management of Kent Life is due for renewal on November 30. We have been through a competitive tendering process for the contract to ensure the best value for money, and will shortly be appointing Planning Solutions Ltd as the new operators of the site.

“We have had an excellent relationship with Continuum which has operated the site very successfully over the past few years and we wish it well in all of its other ventures.

"We are looking forward to working with the contractor to continue to deliver an excellent service for all Kent Life visitors.”

The council's rural heritage experience website added: "Please note Kent Life has now stopped selling tickets for the firework event: this has been cancelled and refunds will be provided on proof of purchase.

"Kent Life members will be contacted as soon as possible regarding membership validity from Monday, November 30, onwards."

Those with queries are directed towards Maidstone council.

The 28-acre Kent Life site was originally the historic Sandling Farm, an area that formed part of the wider Allington Castle estate in the mid 16th century.

The Museum of Kent Life as it was formerly known was officially opened to the public on July 6 1985.

Its aim was to be a working heritage farm on which to tell the story of everything Kentish.

In November 2008 the charitable trust which had run it handed it over to Continuum.

A statement on the attraction's site says: "By employing a public-private partnership, the future of this cultural institution has been safeguarded.

"The site is currently undergoing major developments thanks to new investment, including, amongst other things, a brand new themed outdoor adventure play area, a bespoke fun-filled indoor ‘Play Barn’, and a hands-on Cuddle Corner where children will be able to meet and feed a range of small animals."

A spokesman for Continuum added livestock and equipment at Kent Life which is owned by the company will be moved to its other sites where possible.

From Sunday, November 15, Kent Life will be in a transitional period in preparation for the hand-over to the new operator.

The venue also hosts weddings, with the site saying there is availability in October and November.

Juliana Delaney, chief executive of Continuum Attractions said:“We must thank our award-winning team who have worked with us over the years for their hard work and dedication in delivering a successful visitor attraction. They have been fantastic in all respects."