A controversial 4,000-home garden city is set to finally be given the green light - despite fears it will transform a part of Kent into a “no-go area”.

Mountfield Park, which is earmarked for the south of Canterbury, has attracted hundreds of objections from locals, a High Court battle and lengthy delays.

But ahead of a meeting of the city council’s planning committee this week, authority officials have thrown their weight behind the scheme by recommending members approve the proposals.

They argue the project - which is earmarked for a vast chunk of arable land - will “have a significant positive impact upon the district’s economy”.

“Public benefits of the scheme include contributions towards community infrastructure - such as two new schools, medical facilities and outdoor sports provision - as well as highways improvements of importance to the district,” the officers explain.

“It will also deliver a significant proportion of the council’s five-year housing land supply.

“The proposal would represent a highly sustainable form of development and the public benefits would outweigh any identified harm.”

Papers show the 550-acre plot will have two primary schools, office space, community buildings, sports facilities and a health centre.

As part of the project, the New Dover Road park and ride will be relocated and enlarged from 600 to 1,000 spaces.

It will be situated next to new A2 junctions, which also form part of the development.

Two months ago councillors deferred their decision on the project, which was first revealed in 2016.

Worries centred on developer Corinthian Land’s proposals to install an on-site sewage treatment works after 150 homes are constructed.

But before that point, wastewater will be carried through pipes and diverted to a holding tank prior to being transported away by trucks. Two tanker loads of sewage will be ferried out of the estate each day.

Labour’s Connie Nolan described the first phase as “in essence a giant cesspit” at the meeting in September.

But council officers believe “the strategy meets the needs of the site”.

“The wastewater will be cleaned and treated at the on-site treatment works, and passed through wetlands before reaching Lampen Stream,” they added.

“At the point when it reaches Lampen Stream the water will be nutrient neutral. This has been endorsed by Natural England and the Environment Agency.

“Prior to the plant being operational, sewage would go to underground storage and be transported to a treatment works outside the Stodmarsh catchment area.

“The Environment Agency raised no objections to this arrangement.”

Water Environment Ltd - a firm acting on behalf of Corinthian - also defended the proposals last week.

It described the tankering of sewage as “commonplace” and insisted the Lampen “will not become an ‘open sewer’”.

The stream flows through to the Stodmarsh nature reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest suffering from high nitrate and phosphorus levels due to water pollution.

A host of housing firms across east Kent have been hampered by the issue, with Corinthian among those delayed by the problem.

But New Dover resident Tom Lynch has questioned the efficacy of the sewage measures.

The retired paratrooper - who last year brought the city council to the High Court, where the authority's initial decision to approve the scheme was overturned - thinks developments like these are not the way to provide more housing.

“I feel we should be thinking of building a new town, a new city, somewhere out in the sticks,” he explained.

“By blistering bits and pieces all around the city as they intend to do, Canterbury is going to be almost a no-go area with all the traffic.

“It’s going to be a nightmare.”

In all, the application has received 210 objections from residents, parish councils and community groups.

Many of them cite the loss of rural and agricultural land, the impact it will have on the “identity” of Bridge village, the development being out of character with the area, and fears of urban sprawl.

"By blistering bits and pieces all around the city as they intend to do, Canterbury is going to be almost a no-go area with all the traffic..."

Corinthian has earmarked almost 200 acres of land for “public open space”, including parks, gardens, so-called green corridors, play areas, sports pitches, allotments and orchards.

The developer also pledges to ensure 1,200 homes are affordable - 30% of the total to be built - but says the first 140 will be sold at market rates.

Council officers note “delivery will take up to 15 years”.

The planning committee will decide whether to give Mountfield Park the go-ahead on Thursday, December 1.

If the proposals are green lit, Corinthian will receive full permission for the first 140 homes, while the remainder will be given “outline” approval - which means they will be subject to further applications.

Responding to criticisms of the scheme, development director, Tim Leathes, told KentOnline: "The city council has pushed for housing in south Canterbury for many years.

"We are looking forward to talking to residents about how we can best deliver the homes, jobs, schools, medical facilities, parks, playgrounds and community buildings that residents want and deserve.

"As the authority has proposed, a well-designed and integrated extension to a thriving city, with all the schools, medical facilities, parks, community buildings, playgrounds, roads, cycle paths and public transport that both existing and new residents need, is by far the more sustainable option in providing much-needed new homes for local people.

"Residents should be reassured that all infrastructure will be designed to the highest standards and will undergo rigorous regulatory approval."