Yalding residents feel betrayed by their own church.

They are contesting an application for 75 homes off Vicarage Lane, on all the usual grounds that most villages fear – increased traffic, lack of infrastructure and pressure on school places.

But in this case, the land-owner making the sale is the Diocese of Rochester.

The land being offered for housing is the Glebe Field of St Peter and St Paul’s Church.

Richard Bolsin, of the Yalding Residents For Sustainable Development, said: “Once this land is lost, it would prevent any future expansion of the village school, or indeed of the churchyard, which is already near capacity for burials.”

Villagers are angry the church did not consult them and have complained to the Diocese.

But Geoff Marsh, the Diocesan secretary, told villagers: “The land is held for the benefit of the Diocesan Stipends Fund to fund the stipends of clergy across the diocese.

“We have a responsibility to manage the property in the best interests of its beneficiaries, the clergy, and we looking to make a disposal that achieves best value. The land is not held for the benefit of the local community.”

Mr Marsh added: “The Diocese is not required to consult the local community nor would it expect to do so.”

Dismissing fears over the near-capacity burial ground, he said: “Historically the churchyard was the burial place for every resident within a parish. However, nowadays the secular authorities have a legal duty to provide for the disposal of bodies.”

Mr Bolsin said: “We are horrified that the Diocese can be so openly callous about the impact on the village.

“Over the centuries the church has had the welfare of the community at heart, but that no longer seems to be the case.”

Susie Welland, who lives in Wilson Court, said: “The Diocese already has £17 billion in shares and capital. They don’t need to sell the land.”

John Ackerman, of the High Street, said: “The Church cannot be permitted a free pass to destroy our village for financial gain. We call upon the Diocese to immediately suspend this approach and enter into a constructive conversation about the future of the glebe land.”

Countryside Homes has submitted an application to Maidstone council; application 16/508660 refers.