Developers keen to build what they dub the UK’s first fully sustainable eco-village in Canterbury say they will take the project to "more open-minded" councils if it is snubbed by city planners.

Ralph and Alistair Noel have applied for permission to construct 19 two-and three-bedroom houses on Goose Farm in Broad Oak.

They say the homes will have rainwater recycling systems, ground-source heating and solar panels, giving them “carbon-neutral status”.

Should the plans be granted, the Noels hope to replicate the scheme - which they believe will be "the first fully sustainable, green residential estate in the UK" - at another location in the city earmarked for 50 homes.

But having had bids for developments in Giles Lane and Herne Bay knocked back by the local authority in recent months, they say they no longer have confidence in the authority.

“We have a site earmarked for 50 homes in Canterbury, but we’ll only proceed with it if the council sorts its act out,” Ralph said.

“Otherwise we’ll go to much more open-minded districts like Swale Borough Council and Ashford Borough Council.

“We have no confidence in Canterbury City Council. Looking at what it’s done over the last few months, it’s been very negative.

“[Council leader] Simon Cook should be pleased to have the first carbon-neutral eco-village here. He should be embracing this and pushing it.”

The homes at Goose Farm will range in price from £350,000 to £400,000 and there will be a “minimum” of 10 electric car charging points on the site.

The Noels say they have been approached by “a national power provider” that is keen to use the scheme as a “guinea pig site”.

“It approached us through a middle company to provide the power to these houses,” Ralph said.

“It’s said it’s happy to work out our infrastructure for us, work out the charging points and package it up for us. It’s keen to use us as a guinea pig site.”

The Noels have previously said there will be an electric car sharing scheme, which will provide those living in the eco-village with access to 10 Nissan Leafs.

However, they say the power provider wants to introduce a concierge scheme instead.

"We have a site earmarked for 50 homes in Canterbury, but we'll only proceed with it if the council sorts its act out" - Ralph Noel

"It would mean those living there will go online to book an electric car for a specific day,” Ralph said.

“We could be ready to deliver these homes in 18 months’ time, but the sceptic in me says I’m not sure this service could be delivered by then’.

“Our backstop position is there’ll be a minimum of 10 electric cars. They could be a mixture of cars – like Nissan Leafs, Jaguar E-PACEs and BMW i3s.”

Council spokesman Rob Davies says the authority is “keen to work positively with” developers.

“We take great pride in our professionalism as a planning authority,” he said.

“The Noels can be reassured that we will consider their planning application in line with all relevant planning legislation and policies.

"We are keen to work positively with people who are looking to invest in the district.”

The Goose Farm plans will be considered by council officers before a decision is made, and may potentially be put before the authority’s planning committee.

• To view the application visit canterbury.gov.uk