A new housing estate containing 91 homes, a play area, two football pitches and changing rooms could become reality on the site of a former school playing field in Deal.

The 3.96ha plot, formerly used by South Deal Primary School, is at the back of Freemen’s Way and is for sale as a residential development opportunity.

The prospect has ignited concerns about flooding, building on green land, and owners Kent County council have been accused of leaving it vacant and unused for 10 years to pave the way for development.

Mayor-elect Cllr Wayne Elliott said: “They’ve left it there so they can put houses on it. It should be allotments or a play area.”

He joins calls to extend the allotment gardens in Telegraph Road and burial ground in Hamilton Road, after it was raised at Deal Town Council’s finance committee on Monday.

“They’ve left it there so they can put houses on it. It should be allotments or a play area,” Mayor elect, Cllr Wayne Elliot

But Simon Dodd, who has been working on the preparation of land at KCC, said the land was offered to Dover District Council to extend the areas last year but the district council declined. Therefore there will not be surplus ground to extend the areas in the future if needed.

KCC’s offer to DDC was to fulfil a mandatory requirement because the site is a designated Open Space within DDC’s Core Strategy document.

Because of its designation, Sport England must be consulted on its future use, despite KCC leaving it unused for a decade.

During the consultation and pre-planning talks, DDCs officers identified that it must retain its sports use, and the two pitches were incorporated into the illustrative design concept by architects DHA Planning.

RPC’s marketing material says “Kent FA and local clubs have been approached by KCC to assess potential demand in order to support any planning application.

“Two local clubs have expressed interest in taking a lease on the youth football facilities upon practical completion.”

“I think this is an unsuitable place because it is a green area. It will increase the run off and flatter areas starting from Hamilton Road will take the brunt-" Cllr Mike Eddy KCC

Cllr Mike Eddy, Mill Hill councillor for KCC, criticised the Conservative administrations for what he deems a “very bad and stupid” move in potentially developing the land.

He said: “I think this is an unsuitable place because it is a green area in Deal.”

He claims the site and its boundaries were not being looked after and then disquiet at the prospect of selling was met with resignation that “the Conservatives at County Hall would sell their own grandmothers if they thought they could raise some money”.

The county council has not responded to claims the land was left vacant to make development a more attractive alternative.

A spokesman from Dover District Council said: “We would stress that no formal planning application has been received, and any application would be treated in accordance with all appropriate planning policies.”

Building 91 homes on Mill Hill could lead to a greater flooding impact on some of Deal’s flatter areas. That is the warning from KCC’s Mill Hill representative Cllr Mike Eddy (Lab).

He said: “It will increase the run off”.

He fears flatter areas starting from Hamilton Road and leading into town, will take the brunt.

The Mercury asked property marketing company RPC Land & New Homes, whether the land had attracted much interest from developers. Graeme Dowd, the firm’s agent, said the information was commercially sensitive and he is not at liberty to divulge any information.

Potential developers have until noon on April 29 to put in a bid.