The campus at Wye will become a �1bn science research centre

Kent County Council (KCC) said it would see the creation of 12,500 jobs and bring prosperity to Ashford.

The future of the site in Wye had been uncertain as the agriculture industry declined and numbers of agri-business students fell, the council said.

It is hoped the facilities will be used by global industrial firms for research in drugs, engineering and medicine.

The village will change significantly if it goes ahead. However, it does present an opportunity John Hodder

KCC, Ashford Borough Council and Imperial College London signed the Wye Concordat this week.

Rector of Imperial College London, Sir Richard Sykes, said: "We have a fantastic opportunity to explore some of the most exciting problems in science, engineering and medicine today.

But John Hodder, from Wye Parish Council, said: "This is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and certainly this vista and the village will change significantly if it goes ahead.

"However, it does present an opportunity which, if managed properly, would be to the benefit of everybody."

The Campaign to Protect Rural England has said employment in Wye is essential but the village must be protected from inappropriate urbanisation.

Dr Hilary Newport said: "Support for our farmers, in the shape of world-class research and development into non-food crops and bio-fuels, is to be welcomed.

"But we must work together to make sure any development is of a scale and nature that respects its setting, environment and people."