Protesters campaigning to stop 2,000 homes being built on fields on the outskirts of Maidstone have raised £20,000 so they can launch a legal battle against it.

Bredhurst Parish Council has stepped up its campaign to oppose Lidsing Garden Village, which has been included in Maidstone Borough Council's Local Plan Review.

It has launched a GoFundMe page to meet the expected £26,000 legal bill it will incur by engaging a planning barrister to fight their case when the scheme comes before a public inquiry later this year.

An enthusiastic response from villagers both in Bredhurst and in neighbouring communities has already brought the total to more than £20,000 in five weeks.

The parish council has been protesting against the idea, which it says will “concrete” over the rural area, north of Bredhurst, and will result in the construction of a spur road to reach the M2 across an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The proposal also includes 14 hectares of employment land, 1500m2 of retail and leisure space and a new primary school.

Those who are against it are worried it could open the flood-gates for development in Capstone Valley across the border in Medway.

Bredhurst parish council has hired a London barrister who specialises in planning to represent villagers at the inquiry expected in September.

Its chairman, Vanessa Jones, said: “Donations are literally pouring in. The amount raised already shows the strength of feeling residents have against Maidstone’s proposals."

She said: “Yes, we need more housing, but in the right place and with the right infrastructure.

“Lidsing has neither. Fortunately our barrister feels there are fundamental flaws with Maidstone’s plan.”

Senior councillors in the Towns have previously expressed their anger at the plans, which they say have been "dumped" on their doorstep and will put pressure on Medway's infrastructure.

Cllr Jones agreed, saying: "If it were approved, it would bring havoc to all the communities from Rainham, Hempstead and Lordswood to Bredhurst and Boxley.

“And while Maidstone will receive all the council tax from the new occupants, it will fall to Medway Council to provide all the services.”