Proposals for 800 new homes – which could see a village’s population double – are expected to be given the go-ahead next week.

Councillors were scheduled to decide on the bid for 800 homes north of Hersden, near Canterbury, on July 23, but instead deferred the application to visit the site.

Now the final call on the application - which has been accused of being “merely fed by greed” and providing homes for Londoners rather than locals - is due on Tuesday.

Persimmon Homes applied for permission from Canterbury City Council (CCC) to build the new homes on farmland in the village in August 2022.

“A mix of housing is provided from one-bed to five-bed properties, with affordable housing located in small groups around the site,” Persimmon states in planning documents.

240 are slated to be affordable - sold or rented at a discount from the market rate.

Developers add that the estate will boast “a network of wide green spaces” and “two areas of allotments will be provided within the east and west of the site for growing of local produce”.

However, 17 objections to the plans have been submitted to CCC’s planning portal.

Writing to the authority in September last year, June Sterling said: “The small village of Hersden has already been submerged by the larger developments of Chislet Gardens and the ongoing Hoplands development.

“These are not housing local people - a lot of properties are being rented out by development companies and people are moving in from the London area because they can afford to buy these houses.”

Michaelle Brayford wrote that the “huge housing estate” will create extra traffic on Sturry Road and stress local services.

“There are no benefits for current residents,” she continued.

“This proposal is merely causing more stress and issues for the village of Hersden. It is a village and not a town.”

Covering an area equivalent to almost 87 football pitches, the development is one of the final allocations from the city council’s 2017 local plan.

“It will merely cause huge problems and exacerbate the traffic situation in Canterbury,” argued Craig Thompson in his letter to CCC’s planning department.

“This planning application is merely fed by greed, and it is that simple.

“We moved here four years ago, and we have a lovely bungalow where our garden backs on to the fields overlooking far into the distance.

“Once this view is gone will our property be worth the same? I doubt very much.”

Part of the site will host a newly-built Water Recycling Centre which Persimmon claims will be able to treat water to a better quality than required at the existing Westbere Water Treatment Facility.

It also seeks permission for business space including a cafe, office space, and expansion of the village primary school, a community building and a sports pavilion.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal

The application is a hybrid one - meaning full permission is being sought for only 261 of the homes.

If approved, the remaining 539 homes will need further planning applications to decide the design and layout.

Planning officers recommend councillors vote to approve the proposals at the meeting next week.