More than a third of people responding to a public consultation are in favour of building a new garden village of 2,500 homes over an existing golf course.

Pedham Place, near Swanley, was one proposed location put to the public by Sevenoaks council as it prepares its next local plan on future development sites.

From 11,000 responses made by 5,300 people, 37% said they favoured the London Road location – which was the biggest preference of any option.

The other options were: multiple sites across the district - 32%; multiple sites and Pedham Place - 2%; none of the options - 29%.

But the idea has, in recent months, faced extensive protests staged by residents of nearby Farningham, Eynsford and Crockenhill, which had even included a tractor parade through the villages.

They say the public’s responses have been misinterpreted.

Su Hewitt, one of the opponents, said: “We have reviewed the survey responses in favour of Pedham Place and found that 191 people who selected ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ regarding Pedham Place then added comments in the boxes that suggested they chose it because it was not greenbelt/area of outstanding national beauty (AONB), and was brownfield (12%).

“But then 36% of them went on to specify elsewhere that there should be protection for the greenbelt/AONB, when they have commented on other areas.

“It seems they were unaware that Pedham Place is greenbelt land and lies within an AONB.

“Their other comments would appear to negate their first vote.

“In any case, if you look at the figures the other way, 61% of the respondents did not want Pedham and that’s without the discrepancies we’ve spotted. Why is the district council not saying that?”

The Farningham-based campaigner also suggested there had been a concerted effort by those in some other parts of Sevenoaks to “vote” for Pedham Place to ensure they didn’t end up with development in their own backyard.

She added: “Other areas circulated instructions on Facebook and websites that directed people to vote for Pedham Place to avoid their own areas being put into the plan.

“We are worried money will be spent on pursuing Pedham Place as it is an easy one-size-fits-all solution for Sevenoaks rather than an appropriate way to deal with release of green belt land as a precedent for the district.

“Our aim is for the whole of Sevenoaks to join the Protect Our Green Belt Together campaign and to stop Pedham Place being developed.”

Developers Gladman Developments and the Ramac group have partnered up to promote the Pedham location as a “20-minute village” .

The idea is the residents would have shops, work and schools all within a 20-minute walk of their homes. The site is also close to the M25 and the railway line.

The promoters say the site provides the opportunity to create a net-zero community, with its own schools and healthcare facilities, which could also generate enough money to pay for substantial infrastructure improvements to the M25 and wider surrounding road network.

There will be further opportunities for the public to comment when the plan is put out to what is called a Regulation 19 consultation in the autumn.

Cllr Simon Reay, the cabinet member for planning and conservation, said the most recent consultation received one of the “highest responses” to any in recent years.

But he said it wasn’t just about the “strength of numbers”, but “balancing up the issues raised by the public and other consultees”.

“As we said from the outset, we will be guided by all the evidence before we review the Local Plan,” he added.

Sevenoaks council is under pressure by the government to find room for 10,680 new homes from 2025 to 2040 under the government’s

The recently reformed Wasps Rugby Club has also expressed an interest in developing a new 28,000-seat stadium either at Pedham Place, or at the nearby Petham Court Farm.

But no detailed proposals have been provided and a spokesman for the council said: “We have now received a further local plan consultation response from Wasps.

“They are now focusing on a site inside the M25.”

The results of the public consultation are due to be discussed at the council’s development and conservation advisory committee taking place on Tuesday, March 26 at 7pm in the council chamber on Argyle Road. It can also be viewed on the council’s YouTube channel.