A “new village” could be built on a former garden centre site near Faversham.

The slice of brownfield land in London Road, Norton which used to home the Wyevale Garden Centre could soon have 67 houses built on it.

The land proposed for the housing development, which sits between Provender Lane and Norton Lane, is not one outlined in Swale’s Local Plan but will be decided by Swale Borough Council’s planning committee later this year.

It will first be debated by Norton Parish Council, due to meet early next month.

The parish council has declined to comment until the application from EDB Design is discussed but it seems that many nearby residents are already voicing their opposition to the proposal.

Graham Smith has lived at his home in Provender Lane for more than 30 years and strongly opposes the plans. He said: “This development takes away land which is meant to be countryside. I understand they will say that this is not technically countryside, but it should not be a housing estate either, which is what they are proposing here.

“If the proposal goes ahead, it will more than double the population of the area. I accept there is a need for houses in Swale, but this is the start of bringing suburbia into the countryside.

“I know there is a lot of opposition against the Love Lane development, but at least that adjoins Faversham. This one is just stuck out in the middle of a field.

“It will be a significant change in the area and will almost create a brand new village.”

The application describes the current site as a “a scar on the landscape” and says that a “thorough” analysis of the site has assessed the land to illustrate the “significant benefits” which the development proposal will bring to the site.

“It will be a significant change in the area and will almost create a brand new village.”

Throughout its application, EDB Design emphasises its “contribution to much needed housing”.

Another Norton resident Trina Lotinga, of Coronation Cottages in Provender Lane, is also against the proposal. She agrees with Mr Smith about the countryside being blighted by the development but also has other concerns. She said: “The A2 is a dangerous road subject to the national speed limit.

“Pulling out onto the A2 is a daily game of Russian roulette as vehicles can’t be seen until they are virtually right on top of our junction. There have been umpteen fatalities and serious collisions.

“Allowing the building of 67 homes will mean at least 67 more vehicles using that road on a daily basis which will make it even more dangerous and more noisy.”

To find out more information on this application visit pa.midkent.gov.uk and search for reference 14/505933/FULL