Residents of a quiet Kent town say they have received a “rude awakening” as divisive plans for a housing estate on a local meadow have resurfaced.

Kingston Homes originally applied to build 44 properties off Station Road in Hythe in 2021, sparking a fierce public backlash.

But the controversial bid never reached the stage of being considered by Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s (FHDC) planning committee.

However, the development firm has now submitted a revised application for 40 homes on the green space, which is allocated for “approximately 30 family-sized dwellings” housing in the council’s Local Plan.

“The site is currently an overgrown field with mature trees along the site boundaries,” Kingston says in documents, adding that the proposed estate would comprise a mix of houses and apartments with “varied layouts, to meet modern demands”.

The development firm stresses that most of the trees around the edge of the site would be kept, with the site also featuring a “green landscape zone” across the whole plot, including an “informal play area.”

It adds: “We believe the submitted proposals represent a well-considered proposal for this highly sustainable site close to Hythe town centre.”

Some neighbours, however, are not thrilled about the plans, which include no affordable housing.

Christina Ford has written to FHDC’s planning team to explain how she and her husband “were drawn to the peaceful environment and the beautiful natural meadow behind the public walkway”.

“Oh! What a rude awakening we have had since then,” she said.

“We are still extremely concerned at the tightly packed housing, and the completely out of local character aesthetic look of these proposed properties.”

Neighbour Emma Bussey is also concerned, writing: “This piece of land is home to many creatures. I hear owls, see pheasants, woodpeckers, rabbits, and bats to name but a few.

“It is unthinkable that this habitat will be destroyed by a development that is not needed by the town.”

In a letter, Ken Taylor has implored the council: “Please don’t ruin what we have still got.”

Hythe Town Council has also objected on a number of grounds, claiming the proposals go beyond the allocation in the Local Plan.

It also says the proposed homes are out of keeping with the area and are so tall that they will invade the privacy of neighbours.

A spokesman for Kingston Homes told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “The current application being considered by F&HDC is for a total of 40 homes and has been carefully considered and developed through consultation with local residents, Hythe Town Council and F&HDC planning department.

“Kingston Homes, who are a long established local family company, appointed local award-winning architects Hollaway to work up a revised proposal which supersedes that submitted in 2021.

“The proposals are to provide high quality, sustainable homes, on an allocated housing site, located less than 300m from Hythe High Street.

“As part of the sustainability measures being proposed, homes will be provided with solar panels, heat pumps and car charging points, whilst many also include green roofs.

“The landscape scheme includes a children’s play area and a new pedestrian link that provides access to a nature path alongside the Mill Lease Stream.”

It is not yet known when FHDC’s planning committee will decide on the application.