A national charity supporting armed forces veterans has unveiled plans for a new multi-million pound development.
The Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI), which is based in Aylesford, wants to replace its current outdated factory which employs veterans overcoming life-changing injuries and people with disabilities.
RBLI wants to raise £12.5 million for a new factory. Picture: RBLI
In addition to the factory, a new training and conference centre and a hands-on skills academy for former soldiers would replace the charity’s existing 1970s offices.
The proposed 68,000sq ft purpose-built facility would replace the current buildings, including the factory, warehousing and office space.
The factory would continue to produce signs for the road and rail industry, and commercial and point-of-sale signage for retail, as well as carrying out engineering, assembly, printing, mailing and distribution.
The charity is looking to raise £12.5 million for the project, which, if approved, would allow it to recruit 80 more people. So far it has raised just under half that amount.
Currently, RBLI employs 158 people at its Aylesford site.
The new buildings would be developed on land owned by RBLI next to the M20, adjacent to the current factory and head office.
The proposed new RBLI factory and head office in Aylesford
Chief executive Lisa Farmer, who was named an OBE in the New Year Honours list, said: “To date, we’ve successfully secured more than £6 million, nearly half the total towards the project.
“We are confident the local community and businesses will want to see RBLI continue the nationally important employability work we do to support veterans across the country from here in Kent.
“The current factory, hot in the summer and cold in the winter, is not an ideal working environment for veterans with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities. It has a limited lifespan and is very expensive to maintain.
“Bringing the existing buildings up to modern manufacturing environmental standards would cost more than the new building and risk losing major contracts due to the disruption to the current factory. As a result, investing in the new factory and offices is the most cost-effective option.”
Ms Farmer said the latest proposals would help “increase the impact” of what the charity does and build on the success of its £28 million Centenary Village which provides homes for disadvantaged veterans.
She added how the new factory would improve productivity for the charity’s Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (BBMC) programme which employs the veterans.
The current RBLI factory in Aylesford helps make signs. Picture: RBLI
The proposals will form the basis of a planning application to be considered by Tonbridge and Malling council. You can find out more about the plans here.
A public consultation where people can ask questions of the project team – including architects, managers, planning advisers and transport consultants – will be held between 2pm and 7pm on Tuesday, January 21, at the Capel Morris Centre at RBLI’s village in Aylesford.