The revival of plans for a 200-home estate in the countryside has sparked a new flood of objections.

The scheme off Nackington Road on the edge of Canterbury was first revealed two years ago, to the dismay of residents.

But the applicant, B.Yond Homes, formerly known as Rydon Homes, has now resubmitted revised proposals amid transport concerns and the need to assess the development’s impact on the environment.

But that has not appeased dozens of residents whose homes border the development site, who are bemoaning the potential loss of the grade-one farmland - said to be where the first iceberg lettuce was grown in the UK.

Although proposed by a different developer, the 28-acre site forms part of the wider 4,000-home Mountfield Park scheme which has already been approved, something B.Yond believes will now strengthen its case to gain planning permission.

Agents are proposing a single access onto Nackington Road which residents say is already very busy at peak times of the day and will add to the traffic hazards.

Among the raft of new objections is one from Steve Nevell who says it would concrete over some of the best available farmland in the UK and threaten a wide variety of wildlife.

He adds: “Nackington Road is extremely busy at the best of times but because of the three schools, two hospitals and a police station, it can be horrendous at certain times of the day, not to mention downright dangerous for cyclists who must take their life in their hands on each outing.

“Pedestrians don't fare much better as the pavements are narrow, criss-crossing the main road because the pavement has run out and congested with people trying to get to the hospital after vying for parking spaces on the narrow side streets which they later come and swap with their colleagues.”

Nackington Road resident Penny Tyler added: “I hope Canterbury city councillors will think seriously about building more homes when (despite what we constantly hear) there is in fact no shortage of homes but affordability.

“Building on grade one soil (of which there is only just over 2% in the whole of the UK) would not solve any housing problem but we would lose forever the best food grade soil possible.”

B.Yond claims to have addressed road safety concerns and encouraged “sustainable travel” options.

It includes a new pedestrian/cycle link through the site from Nackington Road to the park and ride facility on New Dover Road.

Pedestrian crossing point enhancements and environmental improvements on Nackington Road, an extension to the eastern footway to link with the development access, a travel plan and financial contributions to upgrade bus stops and routes to the Park and Ride have also been proposed.

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But Canterbury City Council transportation team leader Ruth Goudie still has reservations.

“The site is described as fully accessible on foot and cycle, and while it is possible to walk and cycle along Nackington Road, it is not pleasant,” she says.

“The only footway on the southern side is narrow with overgrown vegetation and the carriageway is narrow with no space to step out onto or to ride a cycle.

“A pedestrian and cycle link to the park and ride site is shown but this is also narrow and heavily overgrown. There has been no offer to improve this. I think that it will be difficult to describe this site as sustainable as a stand-alone site.

“Connected to the wider South Canterbury development [Mountfield Park] it will benefit from the links that the larger site will deliver. I do not consider that any changes have been made as part of the additional material, so my comments remain.”

The closing date for public comment on the application - ref CA/22/00700 - is Saturday, September 14.