The fate of 17 homes residents fear could turn a section of the Garden of England into the “dumping estate of the UK” is set to be decided.

Hundreds of people have objected to Esquire Developments’ proposals to build on the land in the heart of Wingham, a village near Canterbury.

The firm stresses the 1.3-hectare estate – the size of almost two football pitches – will create "an exciting opportunity" while boosting housing stock.

But the plans lodged with Dover District Council have prompted a fierce backlash of 214 objections.

And Kent County Council’s Lead Local Flood Authority – which manages risks from surface water and groundwater – lodged a formal disapproval of the bid.

It raised concerns about whether a piped outfall into the Wingham River or a connection into the highway drainage network is feasible - practically or financially.

“We note the proposal for consideration at the planning stage to construct a new drain to the Wingham River,” the flood team said.

“We also note that a cost planning exercise has been undertaken and the applicant considers costs to be viable for the proposed development.

“An outfall headwall to the river appears to have been omitted from the cost plan - subject to confirmation that this is included or at least cost viable, we can accept this method of discharge of surface water.”

Esquire hopes to build 12 private houses, of which eight would have three bedrooms and the rest four.

It would also include two social homes, one affordable home and two starter homes. The full estate would have capacity for 39 parking spaces.

But many people living nearby were not impressed by the plans in comments to the district council’s consultation on its planning portal website.

Resident Dominic Dowell branded the proposals “utterly ridiculous and not needed” adding: “Traffic will be increasingly stressful and our small roads cannot take much more.

“Our little village will be drowning in nothing more than cheap, tacky houses.

“This corner of the country will no longer be called the Garden of England – more like the dumping estate of the UK.”

Wendy Harvey says it is “absolutely ludicrous to build 17 homes on the site and says their construction will add to the “dangerous roads” used to access the development.

“Preston Hill is chaos at the moment without extra houses and traffic,” she added.

“It is a dangerous junction both at Preston And Gobery Hill.”

Craig Woodward-Dack says he cannot see how “any responsible body” would allow traffic issues to be “exacerbated” by approving the application.

“I am puzzled as to how this application is being seriously considered,” he wrote.

“The volume of traffic, the number of HGVs and farm vehicles, the narrowness of the highway, the existing congestion and the speed of traffic would indicate the extreme danger the village already faces every single day – we are overwhelmed.”

But despite concerns raised by residents and the local authority, the district council’s planning team recommends the application be approved by councillors.

“Highway safety improvements are proposed off-site, seeking to improve the pedestrian crossing provision at Preston Hill/Gobery Hill junction,” an officer wrote.

“These improvements follow improvements made recently to the same junction at the request of Wingham Parish Council as part of its Highways Improvement Plan.

“The proposed pedestrian crossing would provide a safe and suitable pedestrian crossing which has addressed the reason for dismissal and refusal of the former application.

“Whilst highways safety – and in particular pedestrian safety – is a primary concern of many public representations to the application, it is considered a sufficiently robust case has been made and justified by the applicant.

“Kent County Council raised no objection to the proposed scheme on this basis.”

The application comes four years after Leath Park Developments was refused permission for 15 homes on the same plot.

Then, planning chiefs highlighted safety concerns for pedestrians at the junction with Gobery Hill and Preston Hill.

But the scheme would not officially face the axe until May 2022 when, following a long-running saga, the Planning Inspectorate threw out the developer’s appeal.

Esquire argues its revised application will ensure "pedestrian crossing facilities" will be featured, including one next to the give-way line in Preston Hill.

The proposed works will also see a section of the junction narrowed to reduce the speed of vehicles and enhance visibility between drivers and pedestrians.

An area for overrun is to also be provided for larger vehicles which may use the junction.

The Longfield-based company says in its planning papers: "The intention of the development is to create an integrated and well-designed community which contributes positively to the housing and land supply mix in the local area.

"This mix in favour of smaller unit types is suited to first time buyers and younger families looking to remain in the village.

"Particular care and attention have been given from the outset to the setting of the nearby buildings and maintaining the rural setting of Wingham.

"They represent an exciting opportunity to deliver a new and well-designed addition to Wingham, benefit the wider neighbourhood, and sustain a key local amenity asset [by] continuing to serve the local and wider community."

The plans are set to be considered by Dover District Council’s planning committee on Thursday.