Developers are seeking permission for hundreds more homes at the edge of a huge housing scheme which is already under construction.

Hodson Developments - the company behind the first phase of the sprawling 5,750-home Chilmington Green 'garden town' in Ashford - hopes to build as many as 655 further properties on land next to the A28.

The Possingham Farm site earmarked for the homes is not included in Ashford Borough Council's (ABC) Local Plan, the planning blueprint setting out the sites in the borough identified for development up to 2030.

If permission to develop the 50-acre site is granted it could accommodate up to 655 homes, ranging in size from one to five bedrooms, along with associated infrastructure such as new roads, footpaths, car parks and drainage.

It is proposed that 30% of the properties would be classed as affordable homes.

The planning statement submitted to ABC in support of the outline application states: "The proposals are for a sensitively designed development that creates a logical and rational extension to the Chilmington Green development, completing the 'missing corner' adjacent to the A28."

When the site was first earmarked for development in early 2020, Hodson said 600 homes were planned.

Earlier this year angry residents said they are regretting moving to the new Chilmington Green estate after scores of new-build homes were badly damaged in Storm Eunice.

Several properties in the Chilmington Lakes part of the development had cladding ripped off by 80mph gusts which damaged cars, garages and gardens.

Meanwhile, construction of a dual carriageway on Chart Road, between the tank and Matalan roundabouts, is still yet to begin as Hodson has not stumped up a security bond.

A planning condition states the developer's money will be released once 400 homes are occupied at Chilmington.

The widening of the road has been planned for years so the town can cope with more cars travelling from the huge estate.