Plans for a “diabolical” new housing estate have been slammed by critics – with the number of objections now easily surpassing the amount of proposed homes.

More than 600 people have opposed Hallam Land Management’s bid for 170 properties at Cotton Hill, Hamstreet, with just two comments received in favour of the controversial development.

And The Hamstreet and Ruckinge Conservation Group, which is leading efforts to quash the plans, says it is confident more nay-sayers will come forward in the next two weeks.

Concerns raised include the potential impact the development would have on views stretching for miles across the Romney Marsh, with the project being branded an “attack” on the area.

Critics of the proposals also highlight concerns over damage to wildlife, a lack of infrastructure, the risk of overpopulation and flooding.

Michelle McDonald has written to Ashford Borough Council (ABC) to object, saying: “The roads in and around the village are in no way suitable for all the extra traffic that allowing the development will lead to, both with construction traffic and the extra vehicles the 170 houses will bring with them.

“There are issues with illegal and dangerous parking in the village now, which are never dealt with, especially throughout The Street.

“Our GP surgery, school and sewage systems will not be able to cope with yet another housing development of this large scale due to the huge increase in population it would bring to the village.

“The development will be an eyesore stuck on the top of the hill.”

Martin Cotton is another of the 622 objectors, saying “the building over Kent has gone on long enough”.

“The infrastructure cannot cope with the population in these areas now. Enough is enough, plan or no plan,” he said.

Villagers Penny Hill and Margaret Brickstock have also raised concerns over traffic, while others have highlighted the location of the site, which is wedged between Hamstreet Wood and Royal Military Canal.

The Hamstreet and Ruckinge Conservation Group added: “This is a completely irresponsible and aggressive application on a site which overlooks the whole of the Romney Marsh and would be seen for miles on a prominent hill in a very sensitive area for wildlife.

“The proposed site means that any development would tower over the neighbouring village and residents on all sides and would cripple the local area with traffic issues.”

The plans first came to light in February when Hallam bosses launched a consultation ahead of putting in for planning permission in April.

In documents submitted to ABC, the developer says: “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.

“There is an identified shortfall in housing across the borough; as demonstrated, ABC is unable to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply.

“Following the approval of this outline planning application, it is anticipated that final approvals will be sought to enable the commencement of infrastructure works such as road junctions, pedestrian and cycle connections, and drainage features.”

If approved, 170 homes would fill the site, ranging from one-bed to five-bed properties – though exact details are yet to be confirmed.

Developers say 40% of these would be classed as affordable and it is not expected any building should be above two-and-a-half storeys.

Alongside the housing element, the creation of the 6.5-acre Cotton Hill Park to the north of the plot has been proposed.

This would be alongside a pumping station – included in a bid to alleviate concerns regarding flooding on the land.

A new access road will be created to allow traffic to enter from Hamstreet Road while the existing Public Right of Ways will be maintained.

The development would increase the population of Hamstreet by about a quarter.

Currently home to about 1,700 people, the new estate is expected to increase that total by at least 400.

In response to the population rise, NHS Kent and Medway has requested Hallam contribute more than £146,000 to help mitigate the additional strain on nearby GP services.

It falls within two parishes; the western part of the site sits within Orlestone Parish, while the eastern part of the site comes under the watch of Ruckinge Parish Council.

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KentOnline previously revealed just 0.7% of land in the Ashford borough is in use as housing. This is the lowest percentage in the county.

A spokesman for ABC said: “An outline planning application for the development of this site for up to 170 houses has been received and is currently under consideration.

“We are not able to comment on the details of a live application but the impact of the development will be fully assessed in the officer's report in due course.”

KentOnline contacted Hallam for comment.