Angry homeowners insist rehashed plans for a contentious new development will only worsen their already "infiltrated" village.

A proposal for 140 homes on the edge of Hamstreet has been put forward by developers Hallam Land Management to Ashford Borough Council (ABC).

The 35-acre plot at Cotton Hill, off Hamstreet Road, could host 77 private houses, 56 social homes and seven self-build properties.

Currently grassland used for growing turf, a development of 170 homes was proposed at the same site by the Sheffield-based company in February.

However, the "diabolical" plans drew criticism almost immediately with more than 600 people objecting to Hallam's application.

Concerns were raised about infrastructure, traffic, overpopulation and flooding on Hamstreet, with some residents as far away as Romney Marsh even citing fears about its impact.

Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) also noted the proposal was in an area known to support breeding nightingale and other ‘at-risk’ species.

The application was subsequently withdrawn just days before a decision was expected by ABC's planning committee in August.

The decision to axe the application came after planning officers had recommended it for refusal ahead of the meeting.

But, just two months on, Hallam has now submitted a new proposal.

The developer says 30 fewer homes will reduce concerns about the overall scale of the estate and its impact on the landscape surrounding the Royal Military Canal.

Meanwhile, a Shadow Habitat Regulation Assessment has been provided which Hallam says now demonstrates no significant impact on Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay.

Information submitted by the company in planning documents says: "The site is not identified in the development plan for housing, nor is it situated within the defined settlement boundary of Hamstreet.

"[But] there is an identified shortfall in housing across Ashford.

"Our vision is to create a high-quality, landscape-led development of new homes and community amenity space that seamlessly integrates with the village of Hamstreet.

"The development has been guided by the aspiration to deliver a series of connected and complementary public recreational open spaces in Hamstreet, including the creation of Cotton Hill Park - a new landscaped asset for the village covering over six acres in area."

Should it be approved, the homes will range from having one bedroom and five bedrooms, although most will have two or three.

In total, 40% of the homes will also be classed as affordable.

The proposed changes have done little to appease frustrated residents - many of whom claim Hamstreet is already "struggling to cope" with its increase of new homes.

Janet Beeching, says: "Hamstreet has done its best to accommodate five separate building estates. We cannot take any more.

"We are an historic village [and] not a town. We and this rural area are steeped in ancient history.

"Our community is struggling to cope with all the extra people that have infiltrated our village due to extra houses and people."

Teresa Colton added: "The infrastructure does not include expanding the surgery, school or retail establishments which would be needed to support the existing situation in this village.

"Also, the traffic situation does not seem to have been addressed - the volume of traffic going through the village centre is constant and more would only exacerbate the problem. The infrastructure cannot take another major development and existing residents will be more aware of this than planners in remote offices."

Another of the project's biggest opponents - the Hamstreet and Ruckinge Conservation Group - has been equally as vocal.

A spokesperson said: "Just like last time, they (developers) have timed it with the half-term holiday to try and minimise visibility and attention. The villages will need everyone's support again over the coming weeks and months to stop this. We have done it once, time to do it again.

“There is no sensible justification for this application in this location, hence the planning officer last time recommending very strongly that it be rejected on multiple grounds - which is why they pulled out at the last minute."

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Should the development receive the go-ahead, it would increase the population of Hamstreet by about a quarter from its current 1,700 to more than 2,000 people.

A decision on the application is expected by January 13.