Residents have held a protest at the site of a proposed 250-home development – in what they describe as a “David and Goliath” battle.

The No Houses on Ham Farm group has been opposing the development, on land off Ham Road, Faversham, since the plans to build the estate were announced in March.

The proposals from Gladman Developments would neighbour two existing schemes – a 26-home estate called The Goldings and the 330-home Faversham Lakes.

Residents insist they are not Nimbys – but fear the proposals will damage wildlife, worsen traffic and add strain to already struggling local services.

It is a battle facing town planners across the country, as they grapple with the task of finding locations for much-needed homes, and appeasing existing residents opposed to such developments on their doorstep.

Frances Beaumont, who attended the protest, said: “The whole thing sounds like a planning shambles to be honest. There is no centre to this development – it's just houses and roads.

“There’s just no feeling to it – it’s just a whole lot of houses plonked down.

“Every route to the proposed development is really poor, blocked, narrow or a problem road, so it is a really bad place to have houses where there is no bus route, so people would be reliant on cars.

“We’re not at all impressed by the idea of the nature park on the site because it just drives all the wildlife away when there are 250 cats, children and dogs living next door.

“It’s quite an established community where I live. People have lived here a long time and there’s a lot of history about this place and we’re a conservation area – so people don’t expect to suddenly find a 250-home housing site bang in their views. So yes it has upset a lot of the residents.”

Ms Beaumont says she would be upset if the scheme is approved and thinks many people might decide to move away from the area.

“But I think if we don’t try and stop it, if we just sit back and moan and then it comes, I think we’ll feel even worse about it,” she added.

“So we feel we have to try and fight it even though the chances are quite slim. It’s like David and Goliath really, trying to fight the council and these developers.

“It’s not just local people being Nimby about it, like we just don’t want our view spoiled. I think there’s a lot of people who care a great deal about wildlife, about the community, about the marshes and Faversham – people who really care about Faversham.”

Developers say residents of the proposed homes will bring more than £8 million of spending to the area, “a proportion of which will be spent in the locality”.

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

“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 protest took place last Saturday (May 27) with those attending holding signs stating “wildlife not houses” and “keep Ham Farm green”.

Their complaints regarding the plans range from building on land that could potentially be used for agriculture, the lack of a bus service, the disruption of historic walking paths and the potential loss of wild and plantlife from the adjoining site of special scientific interest.

Although there will be a range of housing, the exact mix of sizes and tenures will be agreed in negotiation with the local authority’s housing team.

The main access to the site is proposed off Ham Road as “it is considered to be the safest and most appropriate location for vehicles to access the site”, according to the consultation.

There are also plans to provide children’s play spaces to cater for a range of ages.

“These will be located in a safe and accessible location in the development for all to enjoy,” the consultation adds.

“The play areas will be available to new as well as existing residents of Faversham.”

Gladman Developments says it is currently at the stage of preparing an outline planning application, which seeks permission for the principle of development at the site.

Bosses say they will consider all comments submitted as part of the consultation, which will influence their proposals.

Elaine Nunn, who lives opposite Ham Farm, submitted an objection to the plan, saying: “One of the reasons I moved here was for the peace and tranquillity it offered, with stunning views of the open fields. The whole feel and aesthetic of this area will be ruined.

“Ham Road is already very busy during school times – obviously parents have to park to collect their children.

“Factor in a further 250 families into the mix and it will be impossible to move along Ham Road from car congestion, having a pollution issue too.

“Faversham is already under great strain from the constant development of new-builds. This is one development that will have no benefit for residents already living here and will spoil what is a lovely countryside setting.”

Another concern raised by local residents is that the removal of tree cover could result in increased risk of flooding across the area.

Faversham town councillor Peter Cook also opposes the scheme, citing the poor road links from the site.

“No large-scale housing sites should be developed that do conform to the Local Plan,” he said,

“Ham Farm is not a site that has been allocated for housing. Therefore it should not be developed.

“The proposed Gladman site is served by an inadequate highways network and access would not be in accordance with national highways recommendations.

“As such, access would be inadequate and dangerous, exacerbating poor conditions for both drivers and pedestrians on the local and wider highways network. It would be unsafe, cause delays and would exacerbate already unacceptable pollution levels in Ospringe.

“Three footpaths to the wider green spaces cross the site. These are an important part of Faversham's attractions to visitors.

“Tourism is an essential part of Faversham's economic growth and well-being. It is necessary for a viable and attractive shopping centre.

“It is required by the restaurants, cafes, bars, bed and breakfasts and hotels in the area. It is highly desirable, not to say essential, that the route to the open wetlands are not lengthened by unnecessary unwanted and speculative housing development.”

But the developers say: “Local businesses such as shops, pubs and restaurants are likely to benefit from the additional custom that the development will generate.

“Often people are concerned that the proposed development will put pressure on local services. As a result, financial contributions will be made where there is a need to increase capacity in these services.”

The development will also generate about 330 full-time construction jobs and 360 indirect jobs, they add.