Nine out of 10 villagers are unhappy with two major projects which could see a 28,000-seat stadium or 2,500 home garden city built.

An online survey conducted by Eynsford Parish Council found that 92% of people who responded opposed plans for the housing development and a potential new home for Wasps Rugby Football Club.

The poll was conducted in response to a draft Local Plan issued by Sevenoaks District Council which locates Pedham Place Golf Course as a potential site for thousands of homes.

Villagers are equally opposed to an alternative scheme that places a 28,000-seat rugby stadium for the Wasps RFC either at Pedham Place or at nearby Petham Court Farm.

Eynsford Parish Council chairman Vince Robson said: “First of all, although the developers, the rugby club, and Sevenoaks District Council keep referring to this site as Swanley, it isn’t. It falls partly in Eynsford and partly in Farningham.”

“The biggest single worry that people have is the gridlock that either scheme will cause.

“The area already suffers from heavy congestion on the M25 every time there is a problem with the Dartford Crossing. Adding the traffic from another 2,500 homes to the area isn’t going to work.”

Railway stations at Swanley, Eynsford, and Farningham were all about two miles away, meaning commuters from the new garden village would all set off first in their cars.

Cllr Robson thinks the planned site is unsuitable, adding: "Additionally the car parks at all the stations are already full.”

But there were other reasons he said the allocation was unacceptable.

“It is greenbelt land in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,” the councillor explained.

“It is on a hill above the River Darent, one of only 200 chalk-bed rivers in the world”.

Cllr Robson acknowledged there was a need for more housing in general to help younger people get on the property ladder, but said: “It’s very difficult to understand why Sevenoaks would want to locate more housing here.

“We are in the far corner of Sevenoaks District close to Dartford where there has been an excess of housing built recently. We don't need more homes at this end.”

The parish council is also annoyed that the public consultation on the Local Plan proposals was only announced near the end of November, with the deadline for responses being January 11.

The parish has asked for the deadline to be extended. People can respond to the public consultation here.

Last Sunday, Swanley Town Council and the New Ash Green, West Kingsdown, Crockenhill, Eynsford, and Farningham parish councils - all areas likely to be affected by the proposals – got together to discuss the plan.

Cllr Robson said: “With the possible exception of Swanley, who were more ambivalent, everyone was determined the scheme should be opposed.

“The major concern is the gridlock, which all of us already know plenty about. We are all affected now whenever Brands Hatch holds a meeting. We become trapped in our homes.”

He added: “I’m a rugby fan and I would love to see a new stadium built, but with the lack of public transport here, this is just the wrong place. I just can’t see how it could be made to work.”

Sevenoaks District Council has arranged a drop-in session for residents to learn more about the proposals. It will be held in Farningham Village Hall in Farningham High Street on Thursday, January 4 from 4.30pm to 7.30pm.

Opponents of the plan have also set up a Facebook page, called Bees Not Wasps, which can be found here.

The promoters of the garden village concept for Pedham Place – Gladman Developments and the Ramac Group – argue strongly the development would be sustainable.

Firstly, they plan a mixture of housing, schools, employment space, shops, and leisure so that many people will not have to leave the village on a daily basis.

They also propose a walkway be created to Swanley railway station and also a shuttle bus be operated for commuters.

Lastly, they argue that money generated from the scheme would pay for substantial improvements to the M25 and the surrounding road network, easing congestion for everyone.

The Wasps RFC has not submitted any detailed plans for its proposal.