Residents from the hamlet of Chilmington Green were out in force over the weekend to gather support against plans for a town to be built near their homes.

About 800 people signed the petition at the weekend against plans to build up to 7,000 homes on farmland.

As well as thousands of homes, the development will include offices, a supermarket, a secondary school and up to three primary schools.

Resident Max Frohnsdorff said: "The response to our petition has been overwhelming, 90 per cent of the population who live in the affected areas have signed our petition to oppose the liquidation of our countryside and heritage."

Detailed plans for the area are due to be released by the end of the year, with formal consultation beginning in 2011 before a planning application is submitted, probably in the spring.

Richard Alderton, head of planning and development for Ashford Borough Council, said: "Chilmington Green has long been identified as part of the town’s expansion plans and has been subject to considerable involvement of residents, community groups, landowners and developers in workshops, exhibitions and meetings over the years.

"The change of Government has lead to the removal of centrally imposed housing targets, but Ashford remains a designated growth area and will continue to grow over time.

"The relaxing of targets means the Council has more freedom and does not have to chase unrealistic housing targets. We can concentrate on creating appealing places with good design which will give Ashford a long lasting legacy and help create the types of places people are proud to live in.

"Our aim remains to make Chilmington Green will be a new thriving; sustainable community based around a lively High Street with attractive homes and neighbourhoods in easy reach of new parks and open spaces, shops and community facilities, as well as excellent public transport connections to the town centre."

We will continue to work closely with local people to design this new community in a way that sees the best of the area’s heritage, landscape and ecological assets protected so that existing and new benefits can enjoy them".

For more on this story, see the Kentish Express, on sale Thursday.