New homes built on “extremely vulnerable” land could impact the stability of the ground and cause landslides, it is feared.

Developers are hoping to get approval for 154 properties to be constructed on the outskirts of town, at Lady Dane Farm off Love Lane, Faversham.

But the plan, submitted to Swale Borough Council, is facing stiff opposition from opponents, and now Network Rail has raised its concerns about the knock-on effect of the 36-acre scheme.

The firm says the land around the railway tracks near Love Lane is “inherently unstable”.

Route asset manager Derek Butcher said: “It is possible that the local hydrogeology will be affected by the ground covering of a housing development either at the surface (run-off) or sub surface (in the ground).

“The area around Love Lane and its associated cuttings have been wet and inherently unstable since construction and will be extremely vulnerable to small changes in ground or surface water levels.

“The slope stability of the cuttings may be affected.

“If these become unstable, landslides may occur and drainage measures will be necessary to reduce the likelihood of this.

“These macro effects on the rail infrastructure should be considered during the design of the project.”

Network Rail says the line linking Faversham with Canterbury East suffered a landslip in 2006 due to run-off from adjacent fields.

The company stresses the development must not place additional strain on the railway line or affect the site’s safety.

The developer behind the housing scheme, Fernham Homes, is seeking full planning permission for the first 84 properties and also outline permission for a further 70.

It says the undeveloped site – owned by the Vinson Trust – is at low risk of flooding and underlain by Thanet formation, upper chalk and head deposit rock types.

The firm was approached for comment regarding Network Rail’s landslide fears but did not respond.

A drainage strategy document submitted with the application states: “It is evident that the site can be drained satisfactorily in accordance with Local and National Planning Policy Guidance. The proposal for surface water is to utilise an array of swales, attenuation tanks, basins and deep-bored soakaways.”

Fellow house-building company Crest Nicholson Eastern started building 196 homes on a separate plot to the north of Fernham’s site at the Lady Dane Farm two years ago.

Last year, it unveiled proposals to expand its estate by erecting a further 88 homes on another chunk of the farm.

As part of Fernham’s project, shops, a day nursery, care home, enterprise units, playing fields and the potential for a new primary school are planned.

Developers say there will be “publicly accessible open spaces and areas for informal play, as well as equipped play areas’’.

Planning papers say: “The proposals have been developed to secure the best proposal for the site and its locality.

“It will contribute in a positive way towards Faversham and its character.

“The development of this land would create a sustainable development comprising of high-quality homes, a care home and a day nursery.”

In all, 35% of the homes will be classed as affordable – which means they will be available for rent or purchase at four-fifths of the local market value.

“Access to the site will be achieved through two new priority junctions to the east of Love Lane,” the documents add.

“These will serve the main spine roads, which will be provided with a number of side roads to the north and south to provide access to the homes, nursery, care home, industrial units, offices and school.”