Plans for a 28,000-seat rugby stadium have been rivalled with a 2,500 home garden city plan.

Wasps Rugby Club has proposed two alternative sites, either side of the M25, close to Junction 3, at Farningham near Swanley.

However, there is a rival proposal for the Pedham Place site, which developers Gladman and Ramac want Sevenoaks District Council to allocate for a garden village of 2,500 new homes.

Sevenoaks MP Laura Trott met with representatives of both Sevenoaks District Council and Swanley Town Council and held an online meeting with Wasps owners Chris Holland to discuss the issues.

She said: “We discussed the practicalities of planning, transport and infrastructure and with the Wasps we discussed their plans for the stadium complex – which include the ability to put on events, conferences and banqueting, as well as community use.”

Mrs Trott continued: “With community support, and the right infrastructure improvements, the stadium brings an exciting potential for the area, including jobs and custom for local shops.

“However, both must engage with the community from the outset and listen closely to what is said.

“I will work hard to ensure that if this proposal goes ahead, it will be to the benefit of the community – not to its detriment.”

Established in 1867, the Wasps were a founding member of the Rugby Football Union and went on to win the premier title six times and the European Cup twice.

But in recent times the club has fallen into financial difficulties and went into administration in October 2022.

The assets and name were bought up by HALO22, a company owned by Christopher Holland, a previous non-executive director of the club, and since then a small team has been focused on building the recovery of the club and seeing its entry back into rugby league.

Originally based in London, they were more recently at High Wycombe and then Coventry.

The club has suggested that Sevenoaks District Council allocate space for a new stadium in its new Local Plan which is now being prepared.

They say this could be either at Pedham Place, which is currently a golf course or at Peltham Court Farm, which is still agricultural land.

The club says the stadium could also host pop concerts and would be supported by a hotel for visitors, training facilities to include four rugby football pitches, a gym, a barn for equipment, changing rooms, a medical centre and a medical recovery suite.

Rival plans for the land indicate the creation of a “20-minute” community where residents would be able to live, shop, work, and play all within a 20-minute walk.

The plans include schools, a medical practice, and a transport hub.

Their proposal will no doubt be highly attractive to the district council which must find space to build 10,000 new homes by 2040 in order to meet Government housing targets.

Both schemes have their critics among local residents.

Denise Hartley said: “The roads around the area will not be able to cope with the extra traffic. Never mind the notorious M25 which is often totally gridlocked.”

Peter Brown said: “I can see no benefit to Swanley. I can see a lot of misery, even before the stadium opens, with years of building works.”

While Clare Wadey commented: “This is not supported or wanted by locals.”

A group called Bees Not Wasps has been set up to oppose the stadium. They have a website here.

Opponents of the garden village scheme have set up a Facebook page, called NOFarninghamNewTown.

Meanwhile, residents can respond with their views to Sevenoaks District Council via its “Plan 2040” public consultation.

The deadline for responses is January 11.

If residents want to learn more about either scheme, there will be a drop-in session organised by the council at Farningham Village Hall in the High Street on Thursday, January 4.