KENT Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has submitted plans to build a fire station in New Ash Green.

Plans to build on the site next to Butlers Place, adjacent to Chapel Wood Road, were submitted to Sevenoaks District Council this week.

The station will replace Horton Kirby fire station, which is controversially set to close despite protests from local homeowners.

KFRS says its decision to open the new station in New Ash Green will improve emergency response times in the area.

KFRS assistant director Sean Bone Knell said: “We have owned land in New Ash Green for some time and our risk analysis shows this is the right location to serve this area.

“We have listened to the concerns of neighbours and have adapted the design, including lowering the roof line of the station, moving the proposed building to a more central location on the site and offering an area of open space for residents.”

New Ash Green station is set to house a single on-call fire engine.

Artwork from local schoolchildren will be used to decorate the hoardings during the construction phase, if the planning application is successful.