Building work for a large new development on the outskirts of a town can begin after designs were approved.

But residents fear pressures on infrastructure and struggles to get doctors’ appointments will only get worse now the green light has been given to the scheme in Faversham.

Developers Redrow Homes were first granted outline planning permission for up to 250 homes at Preston Fields in 2018.

The original application attracted the ire of the town council and drew 35 objections from residents.

However, the developers put in a more detailed bid - known as a reserved matters application - for 231 homes on the site in March this year, with planning officers recommending councillors back the plans.

Elements of the scheme submitted for approval by councillors included the appearance of the properties, scale of the development, layout and landscaping of the site needed to start building.

At a meeting of Swale Borough Council’s (SBC) planning committee on September 14, Jo Hanslip, an agent for the developer, argued the case for the project.

She told of the plans’ “bespoke house types specifically designed to reflect Faversham’s character, as well as providing numerous locally distinctive features like chimneys”.

The estate will be 35% affordable homes, spread throughout and ranging from one to four-bedroom homes, Ms Hanslip added.

She said: “The energy-efficient design of the homes means that the building regulation requirements are exceeded, no gas boilers will be used.”

Ms Hanslip also said the estate would be “an attractive place for residents, flora and fauna alike,” as a result of its “green credentials”.

Cllr Tony Winckless (Lab) said: “Though I’m against these massive developments taking place with lack of infrastructure, the point is it’s already had outline planning, so if we were to turn this down I’m quite sure the inspector would overrule us and this council would be having a heavy penalty.

“From what they showed us just now it looks a well-designed scheme within the Faversham area,” he added, saying he would vote for it.

However, other councillors were not so impressed.

“Personally I don’t agree, I don’t think that it’s a particularly good design, I think it looks crowded from the image,” said Cllr Lloyd Bowen (Con).

Cllr Hannah Perkin (Lib Dem) said: “This is going to increase the population of Faversham by a fair chunk and the necessary infrastructure for these residents is questionable I would say.”

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Perkin, who also sits on Faversham Town Council, added: “I think people are really concerned, especially about the lack of infrastructure with a lot of these estates.

“People have seen a lot of new development recently, there’s huge amounts of building that’s happening at the moment.

“I get residents talking to me about the lack of GP’s surgeries, lack of dentists, they worry about accompanying schools that are going to be there for the residents that move into the houses.

“And I really share their worries about that because I think people are struggling to get GP appointments as it is, and they see applications come forward for a hundred, 200 more houses - it’s incredibly worrying for people.

“Obviously there’s a need for affordable housing around Faversham, but the majority of housing that’s being built isn’t affordable to most people that live and work here and that’s problematic, but that’s a problem with the system, I can’t load that all onto individual developers.”

SBC’s planning committee voted to approve the plans, with eight votes in favour, three against, and four abstentions.