An investigation has been launched after dead fish were pictured floating in a pond on a new-build housing estate.

Residents in Sellindge, between Ashford and Hythe, say housebuilder Taylor Wimpey is "neglecting" wildlife following the grisly discovery off The Cygnets.

Sue Pheby says the fish – thought to be common carp – were brought to her attention by another concerned resident.

"They had made a water level gauge and put it on the edge of the water with markings, so we could identify if the water level was raised," she said.

"I took photos over the next few days but the level either remained the same or had dropped.

"I then noticed a fish near the bank, and another floating in the middle.

"They are quite large fish and did not look as though they had been got at by a heron as it would have stabbed it, then eaten it.

"One person on Facebook said it could be lack of oxygen due to too much weed, but also I think it has to do with water level."

Mrs Pheby, who has lived in Sellindge for four years, says she would like to see a proper fence put up around the pond.

"The water level is the lowest in the pond I have seen since living here," she said.

"The larger fish used to come up to the edge if I was throwing food for the moorhens, but I can’t see any fish moving around."

The pond has been fenced off since Taylor Wimpey began phase one of the development, which is just off the A20.

Mrs Pheby added there appeared to be work underway initially when a moorhen house was introduced some time ago, but it's now "unfit for purpose".

Another resident, Nicci Hills, says she is concerned the pond will get worse over time if action is not taken.

"Ponds need looking after and plants and animals are needed in them to keep them clean," she said.

"Local fishermen have tried to clean it and keep it maintained but there's only so much they can do.

"There's also a bird house in the middle of the pond which sinks when it rains because the anchor is broken."

The pond was covered in leaves, lilypads and algae which Mrs Hills says she is worried could prevent it from getting the oxygen it needs.

Richard Jones, who also lives in the village, says he is concerned the natural habitat is declining.

"Since Taylor Wimpey has taken over the area some five years ago they started to implement some positive changes to the pond and its wildlife," he said.

"This appears to have stopped. The pond water levels are at their lowest, which I have monitored, this I put down to the natural water course being drained away by the new housing development.

"Fish are dying and the pond looks like no one cares.

"The fence has been up for more than two years. Birds have broken wings and some die when they fly into it."

He says it deeply saddens him that the pond has not been maintained.

"It has always had lower water levels in the summer months, but not as low as it is now," he added.

"The pond always used to fill up quickly, my feelings are the new housing on fields next to the pond do not have permeable paving, hence the water is not being allowed to seep back into the fields, instead going down drains and away from the pond.

"My personal feelings are the houses are taking priority over conservation."

The pond is owned by Taylor Wimpey as it falls within its development.

The company has confirmed it is investigating reports of dead fish in the pond and believes the issue is due to low levels of water caused by minimal rainfall over the summer months.