Thrilled residents held a street party after winning the battle to stop a "terrible" new 250-home development from going ahead.

Controversial plans were submitted to Swale Borough Council in March last year for a mixture of properties in the heart of Faversham.

Gladman Developments earmarked 162 private and 88 affordable homes on a plot of land off Ham Road, which it said could provide housing for first-time buyers.

However, the proposals were met with anger by residents who set up a protest group called Save Ham Farm to fight the application.

Members have displayed signs across Faversham which featured statements like “wildlife not houses” and “keep Ham Farm green”.

Describing the fight against developers as like a “David and Goliath” battle, they argued the estate could damage wildlife, disrupt historic walking paths and increase congestion and flooding due to the removal of tree cover.

However, the group has now had their wish granted after council planning officers snubbed the proposals.

After agreeing the estate could have led to increased flooding, the site was also noted as not being allocated for housing in the authority’s Local Plan.

Officers said the application failed to provide measures to mitigate its impact on local services.

One of Save Ham Farm's members, Frances Beaumont, revealed her delight with the decision.

She was one of many who spent Saturday night celebrating together with a street party near Faversham Creek.

The 80-year-old explained: "I am thrilled to bits and can't believe it happened just like this.

"We knew it was going to be a long fight, but we were expecting to go to Swale council and say our bit.

"So obviously officers decided it was a hopeless proposal as it didn't even go to committee.

"So it was a surprise, but a lovely surprise."

Ms Beaumont, a retired occupational therapist who is now an author and artist, says the group was created to highlight a number of environmental concerns with the proposal.

She says members found more than 500 species of animals at the site, including warblers and lapwings.

With the Ham Road scheme proposed next to two existing developments in the town - a 26-home estate called The Goldings and the 330-home Faversham Lakes - Ms Beaumont says rejecting the plans was undoubtedly the right decision.

"There were also worries about flooding and congestion," she added.

"It was a greenfield site too which was never allocated for housing. Why build on that?

"So it was unsustainable with the number of cars which would have been added too, so another 500 or so cars would have choked the area.

"A lot of poor development has already happened across Faversham with sprawls of houses nearby.

"Everything is already pressured like schools and GPs and these facilities just don't increase."

Karen Flatteau was another who voiced her joy at the application being rejected.

The 68-year-old said: "There have been many people who have worked so hard on this campaign by looking at this piece of land and the value it has in terms of wildlife, nature and improving the environment for people living in Faversham.

"So it feels like this a big win given it was such a speculative planning application.”

Meanwhile, Green Party parliamentary candidate for Faversham and Mid Kent, Hannah Temple, says she is proud residents stuck up for what they believed in.

"We do need to build some housing, but it must be based on community need and done in partnership with the community,” she said.

In its application, Gladman had said residents of the proposed homes would have brought more than £8 million of spending to the area.

“Our proposals will provide a range of houses which meet the housing need in Faversham,” a consultation document stated.

“Alongside market housing, the development will also provide up to 35% affordable homes, which will allow those such as first-time buyers greater scope to remain in the area.”

The company is yet to reveal whether it plans to appeal the decision.

Should it do so, the outcome of the application will be in the hands of the Planning Inspectorate.

Gladman was approached for comment on the rejection of its plans.