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.

Ashford council leader Cllr Paul Bartlett said last week that too much work had been put into the scheme to call if off but he said he was happy to look at the "density, shape and number of houses".

He said: "I've got every sympathy for the residents.

"We need to listen to and consider their views and do our best to accommodate them."

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