AN UNUSUAL house in a Kent village – likened to a tin of baked beans - is causing a stir among villagers.

Delia Copland drew attention to the new round house, part of the Havillands FDC Homes’ development in Bramble Lane, Wye, near Ashford, on the village blog site www.wyeweb.org

She posted a picture of the building alongside a tin of Heinz Baked Beanz™ and hinted that perhaps the designers had taken inspiration from Andy Warhol’s pop art images of Campbell’s soup.

A total of 57 houses are going up at the Havillands site, which coincidentally corresponds to the Heinz slogan “57 varieties”, but none of the other houses are shaped like tins.

“It’s a huge and significant building. I don’t think people have realised quite what a landmark it will be,” Mrs Copland said.

Jill Moffatt, who ran The Gift Horse shop in Wye for 30 years, also has strong views on the round house and its slanting copper roof.

“When you come into the village from Ashford it’s the first thing you see.

“Your eyes are drawn to this unsightly building. It’s not in keeping with our village,” she said.

Another website contributor, Ann Sutherland, said: “Most people I have spoken to are amazed by this house because of all the planning restrictions that are usually applied due to the fact that we are a historic village.”

Emma Kingston-Thackray, of FDC Homes, said the local community, parish council and Wye Village Design Group had been involved in producing a design brief for the former MoD site, with particular consideration given to an existing building in the south east corner – a house with a round tower.

“Several exhibitions were held in the village church where feedback was encouraged,” said Ms Kingston-Thackray.

“We feel immensely proud to have built such an exciting and innovative building that has generated considerable interest.

“The copper roof was particularly favoured by the Wye Village Design Group and the local authority and we feel this adds to the uniqueness of the building.”

The property has already been sold.