A fresh vision for a new 1,600-home ‘village’ off the A2 has been unveiled - complete with a green transport hub with its own airport-style coffee lounge for bus passengers.

If given the go-ahead, Winterbourne Fields would be created on 180 acres of “mostly low-grade” farmland straddling the dual-carriageway between Canterbury and Faversham.

More details of the scheme, earmarked for a plot near Dunkirk and Boughton, have been released by developer Shaptor Capital, showing a village centre with shops, a primary school, a retirement community and a GP surgery.

The project - first mooted two years ago - would offer 60 acres of green and amenity open space, an upgraded junction onto the A2 and a new bridge to be used by pedestrians and cyclists.

But the land is not currently designated for housing in Swale Borough Council’s Local Plan and the proposal is alarming some villagers.

Dunkirk Parish Council chairman Kevin Kemp, who is landlord of the Red Lion pub, said: “We wouldn’t formally comment as a council until there is an actual application but, of course, we have serious concerns about the whole concept.

“Developers make wild promises which tend to disappear.

“Many parishioners have been telling us their concerns about the impact the development would have and are very worried about it.

“We don’t think SBC will approve the site for development in the Local Plan, but there is always the risk that the developer will put in a planning application regardless.”

Bosses from Shaptor say they are working with the local authority to try to persuade officials that it is a sustainable location and should be included in the Local Plan.

They also point to all the land being in single ownership and unrestrained by environmental protections, making it easier to facilitate the project.

But even if it is not designated, they expect to submit a proposal for the development in the first quarter of next year.

The company revealed details of the scheme last November, and on Friday more information was on show at Boughton village hall, which showed the majority of the homes on the Dunkirk side of the A2.

Shaptor says it presents an “excellent opportunity” to create a sustainable community with good road and rail transport links.

Its planners claim the development will be “car minimal” with public transport encouraged.

The transport hub would be designed to offer passengers and drivers charging their cars with somewhere warm and comfortable to sit and enjoy a coffee from a cafe while they wait.

The firm is working with bus operators, with the aim to have services running in the area every 15 minutes.

Boughton Parish Council’s clerk says members had not attended Shaptor’s presentation and would not be commenting.

But writing on the Boughton-under-Blean Residents Facebook page, Craig Coles said he feared the small rural community will soon become “just another town like Faversham”.

“Soon there won’t be a divide between Canterbury and Faversham,” he added. “You say it might not happen but they wouldn’t plough this much into it for it not to. It’s a case of when rather than if, I think unfortunately.”

Local Shauna Lysian added: “Stop messing up Kent.

“That is not a good location to create that amount of housing.

“It seems everything is always about profit and the government have encouraged the loophole in these various developments which keep cropping up.”

Shaptor communication consultant Geri Silverstone claims Friday’s presentation at Boughton village hall had resulted in “largely positive” feedback from visitors.

He believes the allocation for housing in Swale’s Local Plan is still “woefully inadequate” and the site offers huge potential.

“There will always be people who are resistant to new housing, but also a silent majority who do not object and see the benefits,” he explained.

“For example, one young lady who currently lives with her parents in the village because she cannot find a property locally told us she was very excited over the prospect of new homes.

“We will continue to regularly consult with residents on the scheme and Friday’s presentation was very helpful in identifying a number of areas where we could make tweaks.”