A CHARITY wants to turn an old laboratory in Downe into new homes to help fund crop improvement research in India and Africa.

Buckston Browne Farm in West Hill has been identified by the Kirkhouse Trust as a potential site for five new homes and a communal flower garden.

Architects in charge of the project say some of the derelict buildings - old laboratories formerly used by the Royal College of Surgeons for medical research - will be swept aside to make way for the new eco homes.

In 2004, News Shopper reported that the Charles Darwin Trust, which used to lease the site, had plans to transform it into the Charles Darwin Forum to help teach science.

But the plans fell through after the trust failed to find any funding for the project.

The Kirkhouse Trust has now taken sole responsibility for the site adjacent to Charles Darwin’s former home, Down House.

News Shopper: DOWNE: Plan to turn lab into homes to fund better farming in developing world

The Scottish charity, established in 2000, is working with Ashford-based Clague architects on the redevelopment plans.

Senior partner Andrew Clague said: “The current proposals represent a fresh opportunity to clean up the site of the former laboratories which have experienced some vandalism in recent years and see it redeveloped for a more small scale, low key residential purpose, which will generate far less traffic than the forum building plan.

“The proposals will deal sensitively with the rural nature of the site and its location adjacent to scientifically important Down House.

“The derelict range of laboratory buildings from the 1960s on the rear part of the site will be removed and the site cleaned up.”

He added that the locally listed building fronting onto West Hill would be "carefully restored".

If the development goes ahead, Kirkhouse Trust says that any profits will be used to help continue its crop improvement research programme.

Before they submit an official planning application to Bromley Council, architects and officers from the trust will host a public meeting about the development at Downe Village Hall on February 7 from 11am to 2pm.

Down House and the surrounding land in Luxted Road, inspiration for Darwin’s work and a test bed for his ground-breaking ideas, is currently part of a council bid which could see the estate become a UNESCO world heritage site.