Builders have been ordered to stop some of their work on a housing estate where a “horrendous chalk scar” blighting the countryside has been created.

Residents have complained about the huge blot on the Kent Downs National Landscape off Folkestone Road, Dover, which can be seen from miles away.

Dover District Council (DDC) has imposed an immediate two-month halt on certain engineering work at Enzo’s Homes’ development amid concerns about harm to wildlife and the area’s “scenic beauty”.

The authority’s leader, Labour councillor Kevin Mills, told KentOnline: “It is probably the only site you can see from the moon. It is a chalk scar and actually more than that, it is a complete and utter blot on the landscape. It is horrendous.

“I have had complaints from residents telling me about the unsightliness of the site and their worries about harm to wildlife.

“Now with the order to stop work, I will be speaking to officers to find out where we go from here.”

Mike Tapp, Dover’s new Labour MP, has backed DDC’s decision.

Posting on X, formerly Twitter, he said new homes must be built but “developers do not have free reign and must build within the agreed planning permissions”.

The stoppage order is from last Friday until October 18.

A statement from DDC said: “We have served a temporary stop notice in respect of the site at land south west of allotments in Folkestone Road, Dover and land on the west side of Church Road, Dover.

“This is requiring unauthorised carrying out of operational development including engineering works relating to terracing, compaction and regrading of spoil within the site to cease.

“The reason for issuing this notice is because the development, by virtue of its sensitive location within the Kent Downs National Landscape and its countryside location, has resulted in a prominent and unsympathetic alteration to the site and wider landscape.

“This is failing to conserve or enhance the landscape and scenic beauty of the National Landscape and the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside.”

The council explains the notice covers two parcels of land, the development site itself and land to the rear, which is under different ownership. This is west of Church Road and the council says it is feared the work may be encroaching into this bit of land with the chalk - something the developer denies.

Michael Nee, Labour ward district councillor for Maxton and Elms Vale, told KentOnline: “The complaints have been continual in respect of spoil on the road and DDC has been working with Kent County Council as the responsible partner for highways to get it cleaned.

“Recently the movement of chalk marl further into the site onto open land, potential encroachment onto an adjoining landowner’s property and damage to wildlife have been complained about and investigated.”

Cllr Graham Wanstall, Independent Dover Town Council member for the same ward, said: “It is good to hear that action has been taken.”

Enzo’s Homes, of Carmarthenshire in Wales, began working on the site in summer 2022 for the construction of 29 houses and flats.

The company’s owner, Enzo Sauro, told KentOnline that these homes are nearing completion, with some now just needing finishing tasks, such as landscaping, fencing and creating driveways and the project is expected to be completed in six months.

He stressed it is not this work that has now been stopped by the council, only the levelling out of a bank at the rear of the site because of its steepness. He said calculations for original levels had to be amended.

Mr Sauro said: “We are now having to put that right and we are in discussion with planning officers and have worked with wildlife case officers.

“The bank has had to be cut and once that is done it will be seeded with wildflowers and grass.

“We are certainly not encroaching into anyone else’s land.”

When asked about how far away the site could be seen from, he remarked: “You can see Calais from the White Cliffs of Dover.”

National Landscapes were formerly known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.