A group of villagers have vowed to fight to “the bitter end” for a patch of land they say they have tended for decades.

People living in the 23 houses fronting the land in Ravens Knowle, Wouldham, say they have been given until the end of the month to cough up a “ludicrous” £230,000.

The demand has come from developers Trenport Investments, which owns the six-acre site, which the residents have named Knowle Garden.

Householder Kathy Keefe, 52, said: “I have lived here for more than 30 years and all that time I have gardened the land and we want to keep it as it is for future generations. It is a beautiful piece of land and has become our way of life. I can’t contemplate the idea that someone can come along and swipe it from under our feet.”

The householders have met to discuss their options which include negotiating with Trenport and looking into adverse possession rights which gives people a claim over land which they have occupied for a period of time without the owner using it.

They have also formed a residents’ association.

Mrs Keefe said: “Nobody has got £10,000 lying around. We don’t want to aggrevate anyone but we are prepared to fight this to the bitter end and not end up being walked all over. We are sensible people and won’t get involved in some sort of slanging match.”

A Trenport Investment spokesman said shortly after the company bought the almost six-acre site, it received several offers to buy the land from villagers.

“We have made what we believe to be a reasonable offer to residents giving them the opportunity to purchase the land that fronts their properties,” he said. “This is in response to requests from residents who wanted to purchase the land.

“It would not be right to discuss the terms of the offer publicly, but we are happy to discuss any issues or concerns residents may have.”

He said the company had no immediate plans for the site but would “look after” it.