A developer has downsized plans for a rural development by 20% in the face of opposition from villagers.

In May, Skylark Developments Ltd previously mooted designs for 48 homes across two sites in Graveney, near Faversham.

The proposals would have seen eight properties built on land to the west of Head Hill Road, and 40 on another plot of land in Seasalter Road and Sandbank Lane.

However, the developers are now cutting back the Seasalter Road site to 30 homes - with 18 custom and self-build plots and 12 affordable homes planned.

The plans also include provision for school playing fields, public open space and access requirements from the main road on to the new estate.

The other plot of eight self-build and custom build homes off Head Hill Road is still in the works, and a separate outline planning application has been made for it.

Villagers opposed the proposals when the developers launched a consultation, branding it a “waste of time, money and space”.

A planning application has now been submitted to Swale Borough Council for the Seasalter Road land.

“Following feedback, in particular concerns about any potential overlooking and the wish to keep the frontage to Seasalter Road as unchanged as possible, our proposals off Seasalter Road see a reduced number of homes from 40 to 30,” Skylark representatives wrote in a document in the planning application bundle.

“[These are] set further back from Seasalter Road than originally consulted.”

The firm was also originally set to provide funding for a new community building, but following the consultation, it is instead set to contribute money to the existing village hall.

The statement added: “Useful feedback was gathered from a large number of residents that a new Community Building was not welcomed off Head Hill Road due to concerns over noise and disturbance from potential music events adjacent to the Four Horseshoes Park and Pub.

“We are looking to offer a contribution towards potential improvements to the well-loved existing village hall should the committee want to make enhancements in the future.”

Referring to the project as a “community expansion,” developers argue the plans “will create a new, sustainable residential area, delivering much-needed self and custom build housing and much-needed affordable housing in what is already recognised as a desirable place to live.”

A spokesman for Skylark told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Our proposal includes a range of exceptional quality homes including self-build opportunities and much-needed affordable housing.

“Having listened to local people at our public consultation event, we have reduced the total number of homes originally envisaged to provide greater separation from existing homes.

“We are also offering significant community benefits including additional village parking and allotments in our proposals, and have secured the school playing field in the design for future generations of schoolchildren and have offered support for the existing village hall, as well as potential local footpath improvements.”

It is not yet known when a decision will be made, but Swale Borough Council’s planning department has set a deadline of January 1.