Farm buildings in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty could be turned into a housing estate with homes in the style of barns.

Developers hope to overhaul an abandoned farm into 13 homes in a conservation area on Canterbury’s outskirts.

Although recent proposals to develop the site in Pett Hill, Bridge, have received a mixed bag of reaction, Kent Downs AONB has thrown its support behind the scheme.

Faversham architects OSG Architecture says developers hope to demolish Great Pett Farm’s existing buildings but maintain the agricultural aesthetic, with ecology disruption kept to a minimum.

Yet some residents remain unconvinced the buildings will fit in and worry about traffic problems that may come of the project.

“The proposal aims to recreate the appearance of barn structures to match the typologies of Kent farmsteads,” read the application papers.

Home designers say they will integrate a “modern touch” into the traditional barn look with glazing, red brickwork and black weatherboarding.

Three of the homes will be ‘affordable housing’ while each one will have access to a private garden.

Computer-generated-images of what the site could look like show houses of various of sizes, both detached and semi-detached.

Offical papers from Kent Downs AONB say: "The site lies within the Kent Downs AONB.

“However comprises an existing modern farmstead with large agricultural buildings that is relatively well contained within the landscape and a sensitively designed residential scheme here would provide an opportunity to enhance the immediate surroundings.

“As such, the AONB Unit raised no objection in principle.”

While some residents are critical of the plan because of possible traffic problems, others are excited at the prospect of affordable homes in the area.

Neighbour Jayne Steadman worries the small country lane that services the development will struggle to cope with extra drivers.

“This is a narrow, pot-holed lane with no passing places and a tricky junction,” said Ms Steadman.

“Thirteen homes is probably 26 more cars, then factor in delivery vehicles, visitors, etc., and that is a lot.”

But, reacting to news of the prospective scheme on Facebook, other locals responded with more optimism.

“The farm has not been a working farm for a number of years now,” commented one social media user.

“Sad, I know, but it is going to ruin down there now - such a waste, but if the land is potential for development then why not - hopefully will be affordable housing for the youngsters.”

Another user added: “Got to admit, they do look better than a lot of the new builds elsewhere.”

The the two-and-a-half acre site sits besides a Grade-II listed farmhouse.

But, in the planning application’s cover letter, planner Rosie Dennis says the building project would benefit the historic setting.

"A number of additional trees, planting and hedging is also proposed as part of the development,” said Ms Dennis.

“The proposal offers the opportunity to provide ecological enhancements to the site.

“It will not have any impact on protected species and has also been demonstrated to deliver a substantial on-site net gain in biodiversity.

“The development provides the opportunity to protect the setting of the listed building by creating a modern development that recognises the sites former function.”

Canterbury City Council planning chiefs are expected to make a decision on the proposals at a later date.