A village could expand by more than 70 homes as part of plans branded “unnecessary and unwanted” by residents.

An application has been submitted for a housing development on a field in Wingham, between Canterbury and Dover.

Nicknamed ‘Footpath Field’, the project features a total of 71 homes alongside access, drainage, open spaces and infrastructure.

If approved, it will be built on farmland to the north of Staple Road, near the junction with Goodnestone Road.

The Miller Close cul-de-sac runs along part of what will be the development’s western border.

The plans are currently open for examination on the Dover District Council (DDC) planning portal – and have sparked concerns among residents, with one commenting that it is too big for the village and its amenities.

Jacky Ruddock said: “The proposal is far too large for the area, let alone it being built on agricultural land.

“There are not enough local amenities, such as school places, availability at the doctors' surgery.

“The local roads are not able to withstand the extra traffic - for every property built that will be at least two vehicles and therefore the safety issues for all road users let alone the lorries that already use the road currently to/from Grain Harvesters and generally the foreign registered vehicles are far larger than the UK ones.

“The development will have a detrimental effect to the water course/river causing pollution affecting the wildlife and the water levels etc.

“This development application should be refused, it is unnecessary and unwanted.”

Amy Greig added: “This is completely overdevelopment for the area.

“The sewage system will not cope, the road is far too small and narrow and this will change the total footprint of the village into a town.”

Developer Dandara says it aims to grow the village “in a sensitive way, whilst ensuring that the development is structured by the Public Right of Way that bisects the site, providing good pedestrian connections into adjacent neighbourhoods and the village centre”.

“Access is proposed off Miller Close, with Staple Road remaining predominately rural in character, with hedgerows retained and dwellings set back from the road,” planning documents add.

“A network of greenspaces will be created around the edges and the centre of the site linked to the retained right of way.

“These spaces will be semi-natural in character featuring retained, enhanced and new areas of tree planting, scrub and wildflower meadows.

“The main street will create a loop through the development with spurs forking from it, making navigation easy and intuitive.

“Where the public footpath forms part of the main street, the route is proposed to be tree-lined and green in character with play areas at either end acting as destinations along the route.”

A decision on the plans is expected by November 3.