Hundreds of people are opposing a proposal to turn a field into a permanent site for travellers.

The 6.3 hectares of agricultural land, known as Drudgeon Farm, is to the east of School Lane, Bean, and is subject to an application for 12 permanent residential plots for travelling showmen.

The agents, Cunnane Town Planning, made an application to Dartford council in September 2014 for 25 touring caravans and 25 mobile homes, as well as storage and a recreation area.

Bean Parish Council, the Bean Residents Association, Longfield and New Barn Parish Council, Southfleet Parish Council and the Southfleet Parish Residents’ Association all oppose the new proposal.

There have also been 365 letters of objection submitted following two rounds of public consultation, including one from Dartford MP Gareth Johnson, and a petition with 201 signatures to block the development.

Numerous concerns have been raised among the letters published on Dartford council’s planning website, including increased traffic on narrow lanes and a threat to local wildlife and public footpaths.

Neil Fuller, of nearby Fallowfield, said: “I object to this change of use application due to the number of rare species of insect and bird that inhabit this farmland. The access roads and roads through the village of Bean are unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles. I am also concerned that local facilities and services such as schools and health care will not be able to cope with additional residents.”

Claire Michel-Sims, of Ashwood Place, Bean, said: “We do not want anything like this in our village. It will be detrimental to the school, not to mention the noise levels and rubbish that will be created.”

Susan Butcher, of Sandy Lane, Bean, said: “Travelling shows are now few and far between these days and are a dying trade, so it does not make sense that a permanent site is needed.

“Farms must be kept as farms as food production is very important to feed the ever-growing population. More and more land is being lost in Kent and must be preserved at all costs.”

Dartford council rejected the proposal. The application was recommended for refusal based on an inappropriate level of development in the Green Belt, traffic concerns, highway safety, and that it fails to provide safe and convenient access to footpaths.