Frustrated residents say their “once-quaint” village has become an “overpopulated traffic-congested nightmare” amid plans for 350 more homes.

AE Estates has drawn up fresh designs for its portion of a sweeping 1,400 dwelling project in Hillborough, on Herne Bay’s outskirts.

The Canterbury-based house builder launched original proposals three years ago but mothballed the bid amid a flurry of objections, with many centring on inadequate bus links.

But the recent resurrection of the 45-acre scheme has also been met with resistance amid concerns over infrastructure.

Objecting to Canterbury City Council, Suzanne Williams wrote: “With 350 new homes being developed, in addition to those already being built in the adjacent fields, will surely mean that the village doctors’, dentist and school will not be able to cope with the influx of people.

“I have lived in the village for 40 years and it saddens me to see what is happening.

“I'm not against housing, I just think that access and infrastructure are so important and I hope that these things will not be overlooked and consideration will be given to existing residents.”

Stephen Chandler echoed these thoughts in his objection letter published on the council’s planning portal.

“Thanks to planners ignoring our concerns, our once quaint village has become an overpopulated traffic-congested nightmare,” he said.

“Given the continued and consistent warnings local people are voicing to these proposals, I would be interested to learn if planners will be held responsible and prosecuted for failing to prevent a foreseeable road traffic fatality when it inevitably happens.”

AE Estates has carried out amendments to its project, dubbed ‘Beltinge Green’, including redesigning the layout of the estate.

Previously, it was believed by many – including bus company Stagecoach – the scheme on the outskirts of town did not contain adequate bus links.

Kitewood’s 180-home project for its section of the site which was approved by councillors in 2021 - while work on Taylor Wimpey’s 900 dwellings continues.

AE’s latest plans show it intends on splitting areas into smaller parcels to create more open space to help limit the number of high-density patches on the land.

The road layout has been altered with a previously suggested carriageway to Osborne Gardens snubbed in favour of a road linking Beltinge Green to the Kitewood estate.

The primary route through the development has also been altered to create a circular route to the east of the plot, which will link more aspects of the estate directly.

The amount of room dedicated to outdoor sports – which will include two football pitches – has been increased by an acre-and-a-half.

Some 30% of the homes will still be classed as affordable, with this split up into 70% rented and 30% shared ownership.

There will be a range of one-bedroom to four-bedroom houses.

AE says its latest proposals have been amended to offer “something significantly better” than currently available in the area.

It said: “This is an outstanding opportunity to create a new place that will sustain future communities and improve quality of life at Beltinge Green.

“Beltinge Green will be a realistically priced place to live.

“It is anticipated that the proposed development as amended would be constructed in phases up to 2031.”

No timeline has yet been set for the council’s decision on the application.